* Gov. Pritzker at his media briefing today…
When it comes to the law, I don’t have any ability to predict how this investigation by the US Attorney into Speaker Madigan’s actions is going to conclude, and I would not even try.
I firmly believe that anyone accused of a crime, and those who face accusations of wrongdoing, are innocent until proven guilty.
But that’s not our standard for holding higher office. Instead, here’s what we all know the pay to play quid pro quo situation outlined in these indictments released last night our unspeakably wrong.
Anyone who concludes otherwise is insulting the public.
If Speaker Madigan wants to continue in a position of enormous public trust with such a serious ethical cloud hanging over his head. Then he has to at the very least, be willing to stand in front of the press and the people in the answer every last question to their satisfaction. Written statements and dodged investigatory hearings are not going to cut it.
If the speaker cannot commit to that level of transparency, then the time has come for him to resign as speaker.
We are at an incredibly difficult moment in our state. We are all overwhelmed with decisions of life and death, and economic distress. The people of Illinois do not deserve a political circus.
On top of that, I’ve maintained from the beginning that legislators have a right to make their own decisions about who leads them, and I continue to feel that way. These legislators alone hold the unique power to elect the Illinois speaker, and I trust that they will think long and hard about the duties that they owe to the people that we all work
Please pardon all transcription errors.
…Adding… Pritzker was asked if he was calling legislators asking them to vote against Madigan…
Look, the legislators themselves know what they need to consider. They’re the ones who ultimately are going to decide whether the speaker is going to continue. I speak with members of the legislature all the time. I have not spoken with members of legislature since last night.
And I’ll say it again. If Speaker Madigan wants to continue in his position of enormous public trust, then he has to answer questions for the public, for the press to their satisfaction until every last question is answered. And if the speaker can’t commit to that he ought to resign.
- Nick - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
Probably the strongest statement Pritzker could make without stepping on any toes
- fs - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
I believe he said resign *as Speaker*, not from office. Big difference.
“answer questions or resign” is not “resign” or even “he should resign as Speaker”. It’s a cowardly deflection.
- Centennial - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:04 pm:
Not at an outright denial that Team JB didn’t make calls to members…
- county not country - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:04 pm:
honestly though, a little political circus might keep the Eastern Bloc types focused on that instead of their terrible COVID takes.
Maybe keep it up through the holidays.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:05 pm:
fs - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
You’re grasping for straws while dangling off the side of the building.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:07 pm:
Governors who purposely meddle in caucuses get burned.
President Lightford is the example.
Is Pritzker prepared to fund his Speaker choice $25 million? That’s the cost Rauner paid.
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:10 pm:
“Written statements and dodged investigatory hearings are not going to cut it.”
This is a strong point, frankly. I’m absolutely tired of the man hailed as the most powerful politician in the state being an unseen figure in the background during the most critical periods, sending cryptic messages through Steve Brown (who isn’t even an official employee). Do you remember a few years back when he disappeared entirely and no one could say which office he was at and they claimed that he didn’t have a cell phone so they couldn’t find out? It’s time to step up and enter the 21st century or move on, man.
- Marquee - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:16 pm:
A better question than if the Governor has spoken to the state reps is if the Governor has spoken to the unions
- Southern Skeptic - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:16 pm:
“I believe he said resign *as Speaker*, not from office. Big difference.”
No, actually, not so much. You really think Speaker Madigan would resign as Speaker and remain as Representative Madigan? Are you kidding me with that nonsense?
- Marquee - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:18 pm:
Willy, I think that if it costs $25 million to be rid of the cloud of the speaker heading into 2022, that will be much more beneficial to him than spending that $25 million on television & mailers
- fs - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:20 pm:
== Southern Skeptic - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:16 pm:==
Then the Governor should be a leader and say it.
- Annoyed - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:22 pm:
Dear Republicans, time to reach out to the Unions and update your platform. Don’t blow this golden opportunity.
- Marquee - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:24 pm:
The 13th ward has the majority of the weighted vote in the 22nd state rep district so I don’t see why Madigan would stick around if he’s not speaker when he could just step down and appoint a replacement
- JB Walking Club - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
- Annoyed -
Reach out to the unions. How’s Illinois doing with the bond houses?
- A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:32 pm:
Don’t worry guys, he’s got Jesse White’s support.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:33 pm:
=== I think that if it costs $25 million to be rid of the cloud of the speaker heading into 2022, that will be much more beneficial to him than spending that $25 million on television & mailers===
Madigan already doesn’t have the votes.
Needlessly inserting himself, as governor, in caucus politics is not a great way to solve problems.
A lesson I thing the governor learned with the senate, I hope.
=== Dear Republicans, time to reach out to the Unions and update your platform.===
Too many Raunerites to turn the tide, maybe a few “ones and twos”, but these same Raunerite members cost labor so much.
True, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests, and the makeup of the two super minority caucuses would need to go quite a bit for labor to leave more than in selective races.
Respectfully
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:33 pm:
As far as $25MM spent by JB on House races, lol. He’ll spend double that if that’s what he feels is neccessary. Not only that, but he will be happy to be rid of MJM. Doubt he likes the constant questions.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:34 pm:
=== He’ll spend double that if that’s what he feels is neccessary. Not only that, but he will be happy to be rid of MJM. Doubt he likes the constant questions.===
President Lightford prolly got a pretty good backing too.
If the governor want to be the next Rauner…
- Marquee - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:37 pm:
Willy, you’re right, it is better that this happened organically, with the indictments yesterday being the final push, than had the Governor tried to engineer this
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
OW - I generally agree w you, but comparing Lightford trying to replace Cullerton who announced his departure months beforehand and left under no ethical cloud, with Legislator X trying to replace Madigan, it’s not a comparable situation.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
HDems ate signaling, loudly, Speaker Madigan is not coming back next session as the leader of the body.
The 73 would be best served if the outside Dems see that abd let that small window (Speakership) play out.
Meddling in caucuses rarely makes sense.
- The Iconoclast - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:39 pm:
OW barely mentioned Rauner. I need my daily fix about Rauner supporters especially on a topic like this. It so relevant.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
- Marquee -, it’s all good.
- low level -, hurt feelings are still hurt feelings, but point taken to differences, but still the same hurt may evolve.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:42 pm:
You can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?
So far you’re talking while others are doing the big lift. Why not back them up? Money talks b#$%^&*@t walks. You do that, guessing you’ll have some more friends in the House?
I get it….. Lightford……..but what did the Gov actually do to ensure her victory besides sneak around try and be behind the scenes and upset poeople? This time maybe out your cards on the table and back it up?
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:43 pm:
OW - brother, I’m sorry. I honestly don’t understand what you are saying w that last statement. Can you break that down ?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:47 pm:
===I honestly don’t understand what you are saying w that last statement. Can you break that down===
Let the new 73 that will be sat dismiss the Speaker.
Meddling in the already figured math only hurts feelings needlessly.
- Frank talks -
The governor is going to need the new speaker to be an ally, if it turns out Pritzker backs the wrong horse, again, or buys the caucus for a speaker, both have different hurts.
A speaker not too keen to do more than needed
A speaker that will be labeled “Pritzker’s bought Speaker” and damages them both.
Needlessly, as in January, it’s changing anyway. Let it.
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:49 pm:
OW-
Gotcha. Many thanks and mucho respect, Sir.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:49 pm:
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
Cullerton disappeared and so did the ethical questions about the money at the political fund. Hundreds of thousands just doesn’t go missing due to sloppy accounting.
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:51 pm:
PC - any links to those questions raised?
- Chicago Daily Observer - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
OW gave great advice on the 73. He wasn’t meddling. He wants the Democratic party to succeed.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:00 pm:
- Chicago Daily Observer -
Your utter ignorance is noted.
- low level -, thanks for making me clarify, be well
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:01 pm:
The HDem Caucus will elect their own, and JB will assist that new leader w fundraising. He may indicate a preference but I doubt it. He really messed up going against Harmon. I never understood that. The two knew each other since the mid 90’s if not before. JB knew Harmon’s political and fundraising skills or should have.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:05 pm:
Low level:
https://capitolfax.com/2019/11/18/cullertons-campaign-finances-are-a-mess/
- Trib. Ed Reader - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:06 pm:
OW give them one of those OW insults with gusto.
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:10 pm:
So when asked to provide a link, Precinct Captain blows away his former numbers and sites an year and a day before.
A year and a day.
PC is on really great paper. Lol. (An old Machine term. As in “Am I on “bad paper” w so and so?” Bad comments next to your precinct or name. Better do better next cycle. Etc. )
- Amalia - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
spoken with zero level of fear.
- Mad Hatter - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
The O Silly drops the hammer
- Been There - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:17 pm:
=== I believe he said resign *as Speaker*, not from office. Big difference===
Hah. If by chance he stays as just a regular rep he obviously would not appointed to leadership. So which office would he choose in the Stratton? He still has seniority. Rita or Hoffman might be out of their somewhat nice corner suites. And has Madigan ever even been in the Stratton?
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:25 pm:
LOL. Rich can confirm this I think: if Madigan goes back to being a regular rep, something that hasn’t happened since at least 1980 (or before when he was moved into leadership if not Speaker) his pension would be based on the salary of a back bench rep.
He will NOT allow THAT to happen. Granted it’s not about the money for him. If it were he would have left ages ago, but the pension aspect is nails in the coffin.
This is NOT like then UK where back benchers go to front bench and back again with no impact to pension.
The loss of power - forget it.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:34 pm:
=The governor is going to need the new speaker to be an ally, if it turns out Pritzker backs the wrong horse, again, or buys the caucus for a speaker, both have different hurts.=
I don’t think Pritzker has been backing a horse in this, other than the current Speaker stepping down. IMHO, what he’s doing now just keeps his credibility up with the public, and sends a message to the caucus that he’s willing to help fill the financial void when the Speaker is gone. I don’t agree 100% with the gov all the time, but I think he is running this right where he needs to be… as long as he doesn’t get involved in picking between candidates that emerge.
- Shytown - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:34 pm:
The Gov has every right to ask him to resign as speaker given the impact of the position. Asking him to resign as state rep is out of his lane. That’s for madigan and at some point his constituents to resolve.
- Patrick Botterman was a hero - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:39 pm:
This is what I know…
Pritzker was the one person in Illinois that could have stood up to Madigan…unfortunately he was the last person in Illinois to stand up to him. Profile in courage,
Madigan’s super self righteous holier than though attitude during the blago stuff did not age well. It will be ironic that Blago is out of jail and Madigan may be going to jail.
State government should be fumigated of Madigan people.
Mike kasper has been awfully quiet.
- Mad Hatter - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:46 pm:
low level
As is everything in Illinois….it’s the Pension thing
- Mr. Hand - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:49 pm:
JB is trying to get a win. This politics things isn’t as easy as it seemed when he dominated the primary and general.
If this is Madigan’s last life (still wouldn’t count him out), he doesn’t want to be on the side that didn’t take a stance against him.
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:57 pm:
P. A. - “ …and sends a message to the caucus that he’s willing to help fill the financial void when the Speaker is gone”
100% Correct.
Shutdown - “ Asking him to resign as state rep is out of his lane. ”.
JB could care less who replaces Madigan. It will be a Democrat, and that Democrat will support the Gov 99.9% of the time.
- low level - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
Darn auto correct…”Shutdown” should read “Shytown”
- Nick - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 5:01 pm:
I imagine JB’s goal is to be just behind where the rest of the caucus is at.
So it doesn’t look like him imposing himself on House Dems, but also so that he isn’t one of the few left holding the ball once Madigan does quit.
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 5:05 pm:
Does JB honestly believe that MJM is going to answer dozens and dozens of questions about a case where he is obviously a target?
- Jennifer27 - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 5:05 pm:
JB should have kept his mouth shut rather than speak up and remove all doubt about his inability to govern. Madigan saved the Democratic Party from Rauner and this is how our rookie governor handles the situation?JB is one and done.
- Kool Aid - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 8:05 pm:
Stop drinking the Madigan Kool Aid. He did not save the Democratic Party from Rauner.
- Boomerang - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:12 pm:
Anybody who thinks the final bell has rung and the game is over either doesn’t know Illinois politics real well or is underestimating MJM. There’s a reason he’s been in power for almost four decades. He’s forgotten more moves than most people know. I believe he won’t be the Speaker when the final tally is counted and announced sometime around January 13 or however long it takes.
- Loop Lady - Friday, Nov 20, 20 @ 8:40 am:
The execs at ComEd will have no qualms throwing MJM under the bus…All the House Dems have to do is vote against him in January…What blows me away is why Madigan thought this type of routine arm twisting with a public utility and his former staff would not go unnoticed… no one is untouchable…