Only if leader Currie was going to replace him. He is a brilliant guy and very good at what he does. I would rather him the many of th replacements out their on the horizon….better the devil you know….
He should do whatever is consistent with his wishes and beliefs. Further, he should remain leader if that if the Dems retain control of the House, and if the caucus wishes him to remain.
On the other hand, if the caucus or the voters turn him out on his ear…
No, his work isn’t finished yet. Illinois is not completely Democratic (nor insolvent).
Seriously, I am a big fan of his but he’s the lone common denominator in Springfield as we stand at the edge of the fiscal abyss that’s been coming for 20 years. This would be the worst time for him to exit the stage since he would get tagged with all of the blame for the mess we are in.
It would be far better for him to put aside the petty politics and exert his leadership in a truly bold legislative session to redesign Illinois government for the 21st Century. He’s the only one with the experience and clout to shepard through the major systemic reforms, cuts and corresponding revenue hikes to structurally change the way Illinois operates. He should aim for nothing less than big, bold proposals, including rewriting whole sections of the Illinois Constitution.
Then he can retire and let history dictate his legacy. If he goes now, that legacy ain’t going to be pretty.
If he genuinely wants Lisa to move along in Illinois politics then yes, he should resign and remove one of the main obstacles to her future viability and credibility (himself). If a greater role or higher office is not in Lisa’s own playbook and he knows it, then MM will probably stay until he can no longer serve.
Only if the members of the Chicago Tribune editorial board consent to be the ones that will replace him as Speaker. This may require some changes to state law/constitution to accommodate a non-elected, corporate, all-knowing collective body in the role of Speaker, but I think we can all agree that things would work much better if the Trib was in charge of the House. It’s done a bang up job managing its own affairs and I’d like to see that know how put to use for the public good.
yes, and he should take Rep. Currie with him…she is for lack of a better term, been his shill forever there…let’s have a Speaker under the age of say 60….
Willie Stark Enterprises, LLC. will take your suggestion under serious consideration. Snark may be the only reasonable way to deal with this world anymore. Thank you.
the problem is that none of the other 117 mushrooms are capable of leading any type of political body.
- Lakefront Liberal - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:55 pm:
“very good at what he does” HOW???
The state is on the verge of bankruptcy while basic needs of our citizens (schools, safety, etc) remain unmet! Year after year critical problems are kicked down the road, I see absolutly no leadership whatsoever on addressing any of these problems and he has taken a body of people — his fellow legislators — who could be a resource for solving them and basically locked them in a box with a big can of “shut the f- up” so that he, in his brilliance, can continue to not fix or solve anything.
Regarding his so-called leadership of the state democratic party — it is a joke! Go to practically any other state in the union and you will see what an actual Democratic party looks like — you know, one that occasionally actually says something about issues. Here our party is like some kind of bizarre secret cabal of one. And yes, again, there are people that out there that could actually be helpful in solving some of the problems of this state by being involved in the Dem party but they, too, are shut out so he can continue with his failed one-man show.
He has gotten and maintained a Democratic majority in the house — I’ll give him that. But to what end? To sit on their thumbs while the walls come crashing down? If he doesn’t retire I genuinely hope that the House Democratic Caucus votes him out.
- Way Way Down Here - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:55 pm:
Willie Snark—too funny! Now I’ve got diet Dr. Pepper all over my keyboard.
Mike is a very young 68. The only way he goes is if his health goes. You might see him there in hs eighties.
- The Mad Hatter - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:59 pm:
He should not retire until Chicago has been named Detroit’s official twin sister city.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
As long as he is in power why retire. While I am on the oppisite side, I admire the man for being on top so long, but don’t think he has put the state in a better place.
Yes, TODAY, There is no way Illinois can move forward with him still there. He did some very good things in his time but that time has passed. He no longer has the ability to motivate his caucus in positive ways only with intimidation. Time to honorably retire.
Somewhere along the line he lost sight that political power is supposed to be the means to the end of serving the people and the greater good of the state, not the end itself.
It’s sad to think of the good he could’ve done for Illinois with his brains and savvy.
What a tragedy that he used his power and talent primarily to line his own pockets and support the corrupt unions and patronge special interests that are devastating this state.
For the state’s sake, yes - his iron fist has precluded real reform.
For the Democratic Party’s sake, yes - it is hard for independents to vote with anyone from the Madigan machine, and his leadership in Springfield is being blamed for the budget crisis
For his daughter’s sake, yes - she’ll be tarnished if he’s speaker while she’s running for higher office.
For his own sake, yes - the Tribune isn’t the only one after him - if he stays in power, sooner or later his backroom dealings will be probed by somebody with more legal authority than the Trib.
He needs to go. We have had problems for 8 years while he has run the state. The Dems blamed Blago, booted him and things got worse. He has failed to rally his party.
Get out of Lisa’s way, really. She is a joke and without him she is done. She may win elections but without the threate of her father, she won’t accomplish much.
Love him or hate him, he has been in power for a long time in IL, and that puts you at risk for alleged criminal wrongdoing by yourself or members of your staff. It is unavoidable Republican or Democrat. If he walks now, he can at least get a 4 year moratorium where the AG won’t look at him for wrong doing. By then it will be old news.
Assuming the trend holds and incumbents take a beating in November, he will lose his house. I don’t see a guy who has the energy to ramp it up over the next 4-6 years to try and rebuild the empire.
- May I Help Him Pack? - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:21 pm:
Absolutely, positively, unquestionably YES.
Madigan outlived his usefulness a long time ago. It happened the moment his first priority became consolidating power for the purpose of perpetuating his reign rather than for the purpose of improving the lives of the citizens of Illinois.
Like Mayor Daley in Chicago, he has the power to set right that which is wrong in his domain, but chooses not to do so and to instead enrich himself and his circle of friends and supporters at the expense of taxpayers.
Had Madigan done his job as a political leader, Illinois would have a better Democratic candidate for governor than Pat Quinn and for U.S. Senator than Alexi Giannoulias, and no one ever would have heard of Scott Lee Cohen.
Moreover, just as Daley could stop the systemic corruption in Chicago with no more effort than it takes to lift his pinky finger, Madigan could break this state’s economic and legislative logjam. But for reasons of political expediency, he chooses to do nothing. He prefers to polarize, divide, and onquer his opponents. Neither puts the taxpayer first.
Madigan, again, like Daley, is a one-dimensional thinker insofar as he views politics as a zero-sum game.
His continued presence on the political scene jeopardizes his daughter’s popularity with the electorate and dampens support for her ascent to higher political office.
Yes, Madigan should retire. He more than anyone else is responsible for Illinois’ bad credit rating and economic environment. Will he? No. He’s in the business of property tax appeals which helps when you are Speaker of the Illinois House. Plus, Madigan’s district likes him. Madigan voters don’t care about Illinois heading towards financial ruin: all they care about is a favor at the expense of other Illinois taxpayers.
Absolutely.
While his political skills are formidable, they are dated. He has been too successful with the skills he has to have evolved with the times. In the office he holds, this lack of change has hampered our state.
On the one hand I like him. He tends to look out for the people more than most, not always, but more than most.
That said, we desperately need a leader who unites and someone to move this great state forward. He simply has not been able to do that. His choice always seems to fall on whether he wins and not on whether we the people win.
It’s time for him to gracefully bow out. Someone else must rise to the task.
- the Other Anonymous - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
I suspect that the Speaker’s plan is to stay until the budget is in better shape (whether through tax increases or economic growth, probably both); then resign to allow Lisa Madigan to run for Governor.
While criticisms of M Madigan as anti-reform may be valid, I don’t see exactly how one can place the blame for the fiscal mess entirely at his feet. Most of his fights with Blagojevich were precisely about having sane and responsible budgets.
Did not the Senate President go last year? Any change? So if Mr. Madigan retires what will change? Nothing. New face same broke ideas. Maybe the problem is the rest of the legislature. Perhaps they should get some back bone and demand inclusion in to what is being done in this state. Get rid of the 3 Kings approach and lets see some Democracy.
47th ward has it right in most respects. MJM has the power and skills. However, he has gone over to the dark side and no one can bring him out of it. If things go well, he will be “retired” from the speaker position. I believe that he will not relish, at his age, the struggle to come back to that level again. If he retains his speaker seat I do not see him retiring. But he should.
I do not understand why some think he should retire “for his daughter’s sake.” This isn’t a monarchy yet. She has no more right to “ascendecy” than anyone else. But then I am not tuned in to the realpolitik that is Illinois government.
To the question: he should retire when the House has the grapes to stop electing him Speaker. Until that time, Eustice, until that time.
Yes, he should retire. He’s been a state rep. since 1971. He should choose to not run, in 2012, to allow someone else to win that seat. If he wants to hold an elected office, he can run for Congress. If Rep. Davis, Lipinski, or Gutierrez decides to retire, Madigan can run for one of those seats.
- The 'Dale to HPark - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:44 pm:
I’d love to see him step down. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but I’d love to see it. And Rep. Currie should join him.
You assume that there will be a democratic majority who will have to decide whether or not to re-elect him to the speaker position. If the dems maintain their majority MJM will be the speaker - period.
IMO, the only way he is not the speaker is if the GOP takes over the majority or he dies in office.
No way. There is no one else capable of taking over at this point. I’d be scared to see what would happen if the House was left in the hands of another member. Hopefully in a few years someone will be able to step up, but there is currently nobody competent enough to fill the huge shoes the Speaker will leave.
Please…why would he? He is healthy, he has consolidated power, he’s about to write the map that will set the stage for politics in this state for the next decade… You may not like him, but you have to respect the power he has amassed and hope that as the economy recovers, that power will increasingly be put to meaningful good use.
Lucky for him that this column is not a binding referendum.
Hey, he -promised- he’d drop the One Ring into Mount Doom… when gets around to it.
Seriously, Madigan has nothing left to prove. Except that all the work was for a noble purpose, or any purpose at all. He’s spent all this time and energy to build and keep a majority, to lock up the power to do anything… only to put it on a shelf, unused.
Everything else I could forgive. But when you care more about -keeping- the job than DOING the job, you’ve held it too long. And this legislature is not doing the job any more. It’s a Gordian Knot of gridlock. With the repubs impatiently waiting their turn to come back in and add a few more loops of rope. Will Madigan stepping down to a “mere” party chairmanship cut that knot, in any meaningful way?
I’d like to think so, but he’d have to spend a lifetime’s accumulation of political capital on fixing everything he helped make and then break. If he was going to do it, this was the time; Quinn could have been his willing vehicle to do all of that, and progress would have been made already. But there was no such move. The “chessmaster” is looking so many moves ahead, planning move and counter-move, he’s paralyzed and unwilling to move even one first pawn forward.
The modern history of Illinois has one resounding and repeating theme: that of missed opportunities and blown chances. One of the few people who could have done something about that, chooses to contemplate his navel instead of doing what’s right for the long-term good of his state. I don’t foresee this changing after all this time. Chaos is coming, and it is completely unnecessary. That’s the legacy he’s leaving Lisa.
His ghost candidate that he put on the ballot to run against him is going to beat him this year and force his retirement. At least in my dreams. Yes, Illinois would be better off without Michael J. Madigan. Anyone willing to play games like he does with democratic elections has no business in a position of power. As if the increases in poverty levels and declines in education outcomes aren’t enough reason for him to go.
Premature question until we see the endgame on this budget. As noted briefly earlier in the week, a group of Democratic legislators who blocked the Emergency Budget bill have been meeting to craft amendments to make the budget as rationale and humane as possible given the lack of money. It will be a big test of the Speaker’s leadership, and a new experience for him (since they comprised a block of his own people voting against him), to see how he reacts to those proposals. If he can integrate a lot of those into a budget that will pass both houses by May 31, he will have shown the flexibility to deal successfully with a couple of new realities in both his own caucus and in the state and the world in general. If not, he has a tough row to hoe going forward.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:09 pm:
Ooops, sorry, Rich said to explain. Ok, gerrymandering attempts to make our votes count as little as possible, legal bribing of judges by lawyers who appear before them and donate to pol campaigns, rewarding fundraisers with school admissions for relatives even AFTER they’ve been indicted for stealing $100,000 from school kids, stiffling any challenger to one of his favorites by skirting the campaign finance laws and running dummy candidates.
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:12 pm:
If term limits were the law of the state, who would be Speaker at this point?
Yes he should retire. A lot of Illinois problems would be solved with him gone as he’s been a one-man blockade for so long. A new crew should come in since the old crew doesn’t have the solutions or the backbone to do anything that’s needed to fix the state’s woes.
Absolutely. Considering the job that the politicians from both parties have done over the last decade, I think anyone who has served more than two terms needs to retire. It’s time to give some other people a chance.
MJM is wrongfully blamed for the states budget woes. Remember “It is the economy stupid”. He will retire when he is ready or the electorate votes the Dems out of power. He likely knows when he is going to retire. The “Speaker” thinks years ahead and very seldom does anything by the seat of his pants. I think the current recession has caused him to rethink his long term plans. His legacy is at stake here and he needs to come out of this budget crisis and recession with his legacy intact. I am afraid this economy is not going to allow him to go out on his own terms. He will likely be re-elected Speaker again but his majority will be reduced significantly. The next two year term will probably be as or more challenging due to this enormous recession. He will have trouble keeping things together for much longer unless the economy turns. I do not think Lisa’s future political ambitions figure as much into MJM’s retirement plans as most think.
During his career, he has done a remarkable job for the state in some turbulent times (like Blago) and done far more good than bad. He should be judged accordingly.
I think when people say he’s good at what he does, they’re referring to the fact that he’s a skilled politician that can get things done when he wants to. There’s no question about that. The problem is getting him to have priorities that are in line with what the state needs to recover from this mess and go forward. But instead he will focus on getting himself and his cohorts reelected. So unless he’s actually going to change and start working for the state instead of himself, he should step aside. Someone commented that there’s no one else in the House capable of leading, but I think they’re all just squelched as long as he’s in power. Get him out and all kinds of other things may change, including some members stepping who will then have the license to think independently and actually try to do some good and right things. But probably not.
I will let you in on a”little secret”. Not only has every newspaper, radio station, and TV station in the State looked at him and investigated his personal and political life, but so has the FEDS. All investigation show the man to be honest. There are no skeletons in his closet!
You and many others might not like his politics or where he stands on the issues. But remember, he was the only legislative leader to stand up to Blago. But for Madigan many of the senate and house members would have sold their souls for a cut of the action in the form of initiatives.
Madigan is the most honest elected official in the State, bar none! He should stay in office as long as he and his districts voters want him representing them.
Yes, but what do I know? I thought things would improve when Emil and Blago left. Sure wish somebody would attend to business, but who’s it going to be?
- circularfiringsquad - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:55 pm:
should MM retire? Well, should one man rule come to an end? should the only common denominator in out state’s problems for the last number of years be removed? should the appearance, if not the reality, of a hazy line between his public duties and his law firm cease? should the advancement of his ability to generate campaign dollars for little lisa stop? Gee, I dunno…….thigs are pretty good right now
Of course, he should go. Will he? Never. He still has to acquire more perks and power and prestigious jobs and influence for his family members. He’ll go out feet first, if at all.
Actually, I could see Madigan retiring from the General Assembly in 2012, assuming that Quinn wins in November and the state’s economic situation improves. Madigan would then be able to pass into law a legislative reapportionment bill without problems for the very first time. At that point, secure in having the Democrats in control of the General Assembly for the foreseeable future, Madigan can step aside.
He strikes me as the kind of guy that will work til he can’t anymore. And also the kind of guy who lives a long life.
I certainly hope he does retire because he is the common denominator of all this legislative failure. And one man having as much power as he does is the antithesis of democracy.
Well, I don’t see any way that Tom Cross and the House Republicans don’t take over the House majority this election. They are a shoe-in. See Ann Coulter.
==I suspect that the Speaker’s plan is to stay until the budget is in better shape==
He won’t live that long! Not sure any of us will.
==All investigation show the man to be honest. There are no skeletons in his closet==
Put down the coolaid and slowly step away. Show me the investigations. No one is looking into him and especially since Obama is in the White house none of the feds are looking into him.
Just a quick point. He endorsed Rod even after Lisa refused too because he was under investigation. If he didn’t know he is an idiot, and Mike Madigan aint’ no idiot. If you are a party leader and you endorse a guy, you know is going to jail, there is only one reason, you are and plan to continue benfitting from him. May not be criminal, but not honest.
BTW, how about the constitutional violation on the balanced budget. Where is the investigation by the AG?
That issue alone ends the conversation. Thank you and good night!
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:53 pm:
Guess this QOTD means Jason “Daddy’s Deduction” Plummer has taken out one of those Life TIme subscriptions from Capt Fax and thrown himself right out of the blog.
Bet NoTaxBill is happy too.
The movie about Roger Maris was 61*. The movie about Madigan would be 60*.
- David Starrett - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 4:45 pm:
I never thought I’d find myself defending Speaker Madigan, but so many (though not all) of the criticisms leveled against him here just don’t ring for me.
First, I really don’t think he’s a corrupt politician “lining his pockets.” He often blurs what I would consider a desirable line between policy and political considerations, but he’s not personally corrupt. It’s the process that’s corrupt, he’s just skilled in manipulating that process to his and his caucus’s best advantage.
I also disagree that he can be held responsible for the State’s current fiscal condition. That belongs to Blagojevich and his endless and often bizarre budget gimmicks many of which Madigan opposed. He should have been more willing to consider some greatly revised version of the GRT (which would track actual economic activity far better) but it was sprung on us all as part of a budget message.
I also don’t agree that Madigan has not evolved and adjusted over time. Does anyone else remember the “Speaker’s Special Order of Business?” We don’t have that anymore, do we? When I was working to force the General Assembly onto the internet, the Speaker’s office (Mapes especially) was in favor. They just wanted to make sure they got the credit and that Senate Republicans got the blame if it didn’t happen. But I think that’s less an indictment of Madigan than it is of the political culture he finds himself in. Could he have taken a hand in changing that culture? Absolutely, and that’s a criticism I’m willing to level against him.
But don’t forget this: It was Pat Quinn’s “Cutback Amendment” that changed the Illinois House of Representatives into something Madigan could rule with an iron fist on a partisan basis. He’s only taking advantage of what Quinn made possible, maybe even inevitable.
I suspect that Speaker Madigan would agree that the political fortunes of his daughter should stand on her merit and record, and not much focused attention has been given to either in the press since her election as AG. No doubt he offers advice, but I doubt he considers her fate closely tied to his.
With respect to Barbara Currie, I was disappointed as many were when she became Madigan’s loyal lieutenant, but I understood it perfectly well. Still, she does continue to have her own priorities and to advance them most of the time. She’s also just about the best floor debater I’ve ever seen.
So, to the question, then: “should Madigan retire after the end of the next term?” I think that will largely be dependent on the map, and the map will be largely dependent on the upcoming Gubernatorial election. Things are not looking so good right now. I doubt that he wants to be Minority Leader again.
In the meantime, he should continue to evolve toward more openness and inclusion of other members of his caucus and the Republicans. I think the record shows that has been his trajectory over the last dozen or so years, but it hasn’t been enough.
Mr.Madigan is corrupt if only for gaming the system to the degree that it hurt the taxpayer.
Having worked in state government for 20 years alongside patronage workers aligned with Mr. Madigan (clout) there is no doubt he is corrupt.
Corruption is a way of life here in Chicago but some would have you believe that if he was not caught he is clean as a whistle.
Perhaps in the eyes of the law… but anyone who is not blinded by politics can see otherwise.
PQ and his Cutback Amendment. Now there is hard evidence of the governors’ incompetence and lack of fitness to govern.
I wonder if MJM should hang on until he loses the majority and loses the speakership. Leaving right now would look like perhaps he has his tail tucked and is running away. I can’t see him doing that.
David Starrett,
Do you have an opinion of MJM’s law firm working so hard to win property tax appeals which often reduce tax revenues while he is a member of the GA which is hamstrung w/lower revenues? So far the ChiTrib has searched but failed to find any shenanigans, try as they might.
No. and I write this as someone who loathes his methods.
but what is the alternative? unless we know the alternative,
and it is someone who keeps the zoo together down there,
he can stay.
- David Starrett - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:43 pm:
State Inmate: (Sigh.) You make a really good point here, but I still think that it is the system (and legislative process too) which is really corrupt (and corrupting). I said that I thought that Madigan blurs what I think should be a line between policy and politics (perhaps I should have been clear that hiring is a policy and not a political matter) but this is just part of the culture I’ve criticized. Madigan only works it. There was a line two blocks long outside the White House after Lincoln was elected President comprised of those seeking Federal jobs. The President famously met with them all. 75 years ago we thought Civil Service eliminated that. It didn’t. 25 years ago we thought Shackman solved that and it didn’t. Do you now see the “whack-a-mole” character of reform efforts? One more thing: the “we don’t want nobody that nobody sent” public hiring culture has a pedigree predating Madigan’s birth by many decades. Should he have stood-up to change it? Yes. But if he had he would probably never have become Speaker of the House of Representatives.
dan: I’m not really familiar with Madigan’s property tax appeals law firm or the extent of his involvement with its efforts for clients. It’s not too tough top imagine that his status as the State’s Democratic party chair and Speaker of the House gets attention from Board of Review members, but his current paper with the Cook County Assessor isn’t so good either.
David, I see your position clearly but when we say it is the “process” are we not just calling his shortcoming something other than what it is?
When is right and wrong good enough? When i cross the law?
And the transgressions i elude to did not end with the civil shackman/rutan violation in hiring.
No. There have been many times when he’s the only grownup in the room.
I thought he and Edgar clashed well. Made them both sharper. Yes, he was a Blago co-chair, but he did more than anyone to keep Rod stealing everything but a hot stove.
Do people think the Speaker of the Illinois House has a major impact on the state economy? Or the governor? How, through taxation?
Revenues grew like gangbusters until the crash of 2008. He doesn’t deserve credit for that either.
There are much bigger forces at work in the economy.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 6:51 pm:
Although the velvet hammer has his talents and skills, I must agree with Palos Bob and a host of others who think the Speaker has used his power to consolidate his kingdom rather than lead the state to prosperity.
He knew Blago was a crook long before most and still he propped him up, passed pension borrowing legislation which allowed Blago to campaign on his no tax increase pledge and stuck us with this fiscal mess we are in today. Why, I ask you why?
The Speaker should either have a good government revelation and start using his power and skills to fix this state now or get out of the way. Maybe he could become a lakefront champion chess player or something.
- David Starrett - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 7:03 pm:
State Inmate: I read nothing personal into your post; this seems like a pretty good discussion to me. If your point is that behaviors and practices (even systems) can be unethical without being illegal, I agree completely.
I also agree that Shackman and Rutan did not resolve political hiring, far from it. Indeed, the Rutan attorney became Blagojevich’s patronage chief and still and has some explaining….
This is the “whack-a mole” reform phenomenon I spoke of earlier.
David,If only there were a more terminal “mole whacker” in the reform.
- A Grand Inquisitor - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 8:25 pm:
“Follow the wise spirit, the dread spirit of death and destruction.” In other words, MJM just won’t go away. He is but a symptom of a terrible illness.
He needs to go. He blamed Blago and now Quinn for our state’s woes. The common denominator here is MJM. He and his loyal cronies have destroyed this state. He has put himself above the needs of the state. Every move he makes is about self preservation and hold on to the power. All at the expense of the people. I hold him responsible for the states problems. I don’t know how anyone could do any worse.
But to answer your question Rich, I need to check with the Speaker’s people first to see if its okay for me to post what I really think. I’ll get back to you.
Okay now really, no. He shouldn’t retire especially now. He’s not to blame for the state’s fiscal crisis. He bares a portion of it, but I believe that most of the blame still belongs to Blago. Madigan is the one who stood up to Blago and stopped him. Those who point to his long career as a critique have yet acknowledge that he was the lone legislative leader who stood in the way of Governor Corruptovich. It was his power, tenure and lack of personal financial interest in state business that allowed him to do that. Everyone else had an iron in the fire. Emil’s wife, Emil’s son, etc. Nobody else wanted to mess with the bully.
If your QOTD was about him stepping aside as state party chairman I might have a different answer, but I have no faith that a new speaker would do as well or better than this one is. Nobody in the HDEM caucus gives me faith that they can do the job well.
- Ghost - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:17 pm:
Only if leader Currie was going to replace him. He is a brilliant guy and very good at what he does. I would rather him the many of th replacements out their on the horizon….better the devil you know….
- Sgtstu - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:18 pm:
Him and many many more. It is time to clean house in our capital!!
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:24 pm:
He should do whatever is consistent with his wishes and beliefs. Further, he should remain leader if that if the Dems retain control of the House, and if the caucus wishes him to remain.
On the other hand, if the caucus or the voters turn him out on his ear…
- ok - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:27 pm:
Oh Boy.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:28 pm:
No, his work isn’t finished yet. Illinois is not completely Democratic (nor insolvent).
Seriously, I am a big fan of his but he’s the lone common denominator in Springfield as we stand at the edge of the fiscal abyss that’s been coming for 20 years. This would be the worst time for him to exit the stage since he would get tagged with all of the blame for the mess we are in.
It would be far better for him to put aside the petty politics and exert his leadership in a truly bold legislative session to redesign Illinois government for the 21st Century. He’s the only one with the experience and clout to shepard through the major systemic reforms, cuts and corresponding revenue hikes to structurally change the way Illinois operates. He should aim for nothing less than big, bold proposals, including rewriting whole sections of the Illinois Constitution.
Then he can retire and let history dictate his legacy. If he goes now, that legacy ain’t going to be pretty.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:30 pm:
ok, are you feeling a bit reticent? lol
- Responsa - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:30 pm:
If he genuinely wants Lisa to move along in Illinois politics then yes, he should resign and remove one of the main obstacles to her future viability and credibility (himself). If a greater role or higher office is not in Lisa’s own playbook and he knows it, then MM will probably stay until he can no longer serve.
- ivoted4judy - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:30 pm:
I guess that would depend on whether MRS SPEAKER wants him home full time???????????
- Willie Stark - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:32 pm:
Only if the members of the Chicago Tribune editorial board consent to be the ones that will replace him as Speaker. This may require some changes to state law/constitution to accommodate a non-elected, corporate, all-knowing collective body in the role of Speaker, but I think we can all agree that things would work much better if the Trib was in charge of the House. It’s done a bang up job managing its own affairs and I’d like to see that know how put to use for the public good.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:35 pm:
I think you need to change your name to Willie Snark. lol
- Easy - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:35 pm:
nope, but minority leader madigan should retire next year.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:40 pm:
yes, and he should take Rep. Currie with him…she is for lack of a better term, been his shill forever there…let’s have a Speaker under the age of say 60….
- Willie Stark - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:41 pm:
Willie Stark Enterprises, LLC. will take your suggestion under serious consideration. Snark may be the only reasonable way to deal with this world anymore. Thank you.
- Anonymous - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:43 pm:
I’m a big fan of the man, but I think it’s time to go (especially to get out of Lisa’ way).
- ivoted4judy - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:45 pm:
the problem is that none of the other 117 mushrooms are capable of leading any type of political body.
- Lakefront Liberal - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:55 pm:
“very good at what he does” HOW???
The state is on the verge of bankruptcy while basic needs of our citizens (schools, safety, etc) remain unmet! Year after year critical problems are kicked down the road, I see absolutly no leadership whatsoever on addressing any of these problems and he has taken a body of people — his fellow legislators — who could be a resource for solving them and basically locked them in a box with a big can of “shut the f- up” so that he, in his brilliance, can continue to not fix or solve anything.
Regarding his so-called leadership of the state democratic party — it is a joke! Go to practically any other state in the union and you will see what an actual Democratic party looks like — you know, one that occasionally actually says something about issues. Here our party is like some kind of bizarre secret cabal of one. And yes, again, there are people that out there that could actually be helpful in solving some of the problems of this state by being involved in the Dem party but they, too, are shut out so he can continue with his failed one-man show.
He has gotten and maintained a Democratic majority in the house — I’ll give him that. But to what end? To sit on their thumbs while the walls come crashing down? If he doesn’t retire I genuinely hope that the House Democratic Caucus votes him out.
- Way Way Down Here - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:55 pm:
Willie Snark—too funny! Now I’ve got diet Dr. Pepper all over my keyboard.
- NoWay - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:57 pm:
Mike is a very young 68. The only way he goes is if his health goes. You might see him there in hs eighties.
- The Mad Hatter - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 12:59 pm:
He should not retire until Chicago has been named Detroit’s official twin sister city.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
As long as he is in power why retire. While I am on the oppisite side, I admire the man for being on top so long, but don’t think he has put the state in a better place.
- downstate hack - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
Yes, TODAY, There is no way Illinois can move forward with him still there. He did some very good things in his time but that time has passed. He no longer has the ability to motivate his caucus in positive ways only with intimidation. Time to honorably retire.
- PalosParkBob - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:02 pm:
The sooner the better.
Somewhere along the line he lost sight that political power is supposed to be the means to the end of serving the people and the greater good of the state, not the end itself.
It’s sad to think of the good he could’ve done for Illinois with his brains and savvy.
What a tragedy that he used his power and talent primarily to line his own pockets and support the corrupt unions and patronge special interests that are devastating this state.
- Robert - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:10 pm:
Yes.
For the state’s sake, yes - his iron fist has precluded real reform.
For the Democratic Party’s sake, yes - it is hard for independents to vote with anyone from the Madigan machine, and his leadership in Springfield is being blamed for the budget crisis
For his daughter’s sake, yes - she’ll be tarnished if he’s speaker while she’s running for higher office.
For his own sake, yes - the Tribune isn’t the only one after him - if he stays in power, sooner or later his backroom dealings will be probed by somebody with more legal authority than the Trib.
- Deep South - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:11 pm:
In my fantasy world, the “downstate” Democrats stage a coup and convince their colleagues to elect a new speaker (your choice). Then Madigan retires.
- David Ormsby - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:16 pm:
Rod Blagojevich wishes Speaker Madigan had retired one term ago.
- the Patriot - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:16 pm:
He needs to go. We have had problems for 8 years while he has run the state. The Dems blamed Blago, booted him and things got worse. He has failed to rally his party.
Get out of Lisa’s way, really. She is a joke and without him she is done. She may win elections but without the threate of her father, she won’t accomplish much.
Love him or hate him, he has been in power for a long time in IL, and that puts you at risk for alleged criminal wrongdoing by yourself or members of your staff. It is unavoidable Republican or Democrat. If he walks now, he can at least get a 4 year moratorium where the AG won’t look at him for wrong doing. By then it will be old news.
Assuming the trend holds and incumbents take a beating in November, he will lose his house. I don’t see a guy who has the energy to ramp it up over the next 4-6 years to try and rebuild the empire.
- May I Help Him Pack? - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:21 pm:
Absolutely, positively, unquestionably YES.
Madigan outlived his usefulness a long time ago. It happened the moment his first priority became consolidating power for the purpose of perpetuating his reign rather than for the purpose of improving the lives of the citizens of Illinois.
Like Mayor Daley in Chicago, he has the power to set right that which is wrong in his domain, but chooses not to do so and to instead enrich himself and his circle of friends and supporters at the expense of taxpayers.
Had Madigan done his job as a political leader, Illinois would have a better Democratic candidate for governor than Pat Quinn and for U.S. Senator than Alexi Giannoulias, and no one ever would have heard of Scott Lee Cohen.
Moreover, just as Daley could stop the systemic corruption in Chicago with no more effort than it takes to lift his pinky finger, Madigan could break this state’s economic and legislative logjam. But for reasons of political expediency, he chooses to do nothing. He prefers to polarize, divide, and onquer his opponents. Neither puts the taxpayer first.
Madigan, again, like Daley, is a one-dimensional thinker insofar as he views politics as a zero-sum game.
His continued presence on the political scene jeopardizes his daughter’s popularity with the electorate and dampens support for her ascent to higher political office.
- Steve - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:21 pm:
Yes, Madigan should retire. He more than anyone else is responsible for Illinois’ bad credit rating and economic environment. Will he? No. He’s in the business of property tax appeals which helps when you are Speaker of the Illinois House. Plus, Madigan’s district likes him. Madigan voters don’t care about Illinois heading towards financial ruin: all they care about is a favor at the expense of other Illinois taxpayers.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:23 pm:
Absolutely.
While his political skills are formidable, they are dated. He has been too successful with the skills he has to have evolved with the times. In the office he holds, this lack of change has hampered our state.
Good leaders know when to leave.
- Justice - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
On the one hand I like him. He tends to look out for the people more than most, not always, but more than most.
That said, we desperately need a leader who unites and someone to move this great state forward. He simply has not been able to do that. His choice always seems to fall on whether he wins and not on whether we the people win.
It’s time for him to gracefully bow out. Someone else must rise to the task.
- the Other Anonymous - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
I suspect that the Speaker’s plan is to stay until the budget is in better shape (whether through tax increases or economic growth, probably both); then resign to allow Lisa Madigan to run for Governor.
While criticisms of M Madigan as anti-reform may be valid, I don’t see exactly how one can place the blame for the fiscal mess entirely at his feet. Most of his fights with Blagojevich were precisely about having sane and responsible budgets.
- Griz - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:28 pm:
Did not the Senate President go last year? Any change? So if Mr. Madigan retires what will change? Nothing. New face same broke ideas. Maybe the problem is the rest of the legislature. Perhaps they should get some back bone and demand inclusion in to what is being done in this state. Get rid of the 3 Kings approach and lets see some Democracy.
- dupage dan - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:31 pm:
47th ward has it right in most respects. MJM has the power and skills. However, he has gone over to the dark side and no one can bring him out of it. If things go well, he will be “retired” from the speaker position. I believe that he will not relish, at his age, the struggle to come back to that level again. If he retains his speaker seat I do not see him retiring. But he should.
- Plutocrat03 - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:33 pm:
I don’t want to discriminate. The state would be well served if all the mushrooms were to retire.
- Jake from Elwood - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:34 pm:
Only if he takes his insufferable spokesman along with him. LOL
- Captain Flume - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:42 pm:
I do not understand why some think he should retire “for his daughter’s sake.” This isn’t a monarchy yet. She has no more right to “ascendecy” than anyone else. But then I am not tuned in to the realpolitik that is Illinois government.
To the question: he should retire when the House has the grapes to stop electing him Speaker. Until that time, Eustice, until that time.
- Conservative Veteran - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:43 pm:
Yes, he should retire. He’s been a state rep. since 1971. He should choose to not run, in 2012, to allow someone else to win that seat. If he wants to hold an elected office, he can run for Congress. If Rep. Davis, Lipinski, or Gutierrez decides to retire, Madigan can run for one of those seats.
- The 'Dale to HPark - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:44 pm:
I’d love to see him step down. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but I’d love to see it. And Rep. Currie should join him.
- dupage dan - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:49 pm:
Captian Flume,
You assume that there will be a democratic majority who will have to decide whether or not to re-elect him to the speaker position. If the dems maintain their majority MJM will be the speaker - period.
IMO, the only way he is not the speaker is if the GOP takes over the majority or he dies in office.
- Rollin' - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:55 pm:
No way. There is no one else capable of taking over at this point. I’d be scared to see what would happen if the House was left in the hands of another member. Hopefully in a few years someone will be able to step up, but there is currently nobody competent enough to fill the huge shoes the Speaker will leave.
- KGB - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:55 pm:
Please…why would he? He is healthy, he has consolidated power, he’s about to write the map that will set the stage for politics in this state for the next decade… You may not like him, but you have to respect the power he has amassed and hope that as the economy recovers, that power will increasingly be put to meaningful good use.
Lucky for him that this column is not a binding referendum.
- Captain Flume - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 1:59 pm:
dupage dan:
The Dems will maintain a majority in the House in the next election. And thus maintain their inertia. And thus my comment.
- Some Guy - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:00 pm:
Hey, he -promised- he’d drop the One Ring into Mount Doom… when gets around to it.
Seriously, Madigan has nothing left to prove. Except that all the work was for a noble purpose, or any purpose at all. He’s spent all this time and energy to build and keep a majority, to lock up the power to do anything… only to put it on a shelf, unused.
Everything else I could forgive. But when you care more about -keeping- the job than DOING the job, you’ve held it too long. And this legislature is not doing the job any more. It’s a Gordian Knot of gridlock. With the repubs impatiently waiting their turn to come back in and add a few more loops of rope. Will Madigan stepping down to a “mere” party chairmanship cut that knot, in any meaningful way?
I’d like to think so, but he’d have to spend a lifetime’s accumulation of political capital on fixing everything he helped make and then break. If he was going to do it, this was the time; Quinn could have been his willing vehicle to do all of that, and progress would have been made already. But there was no such move. The “chessmaster” is looking so many moves ahead, planning move and counter-move, he’s paralyzed and unwilling to move even one first pawn forward.
The modern history of Illinois has one resounding and repeating theme: that of missed opportunities and blown chances. One of the few people who could have done something about that, chooses to contemplate his navel instead of doing what’s right for the long-term good of his state. I don’t foresee this changing after all this time. Chaos is coming, and it is completely unnecessary. That’s the legacy he’s leaving Lisa.
- TaxMeMore - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:03 pm:
His ghost candidate that he put on the ballot to run against him is going to beat him this year and force his retirement. At least in my dreams. Yes, Illinois would be better off without Michael J. Madigan. Anyone willing to play games like he does with democratic elections has no business in a position of power. As if the increases in poverty levels and declines in education outcomes aren’t enough reason for him to go.
- Pat Robertson - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:03 pm:
What is the “end of this term” for a president-for-life?
- jake - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:06 pm:
Premature question until we see the endgame on this budget. As noted briefly earlier in the week, a group of Democratic legislators who blocked the Emergency Budget bill have been meeting to craft amendments to make the budget as rationale and humane as possible given the lack of money. It will be a big test of the Speaker’s leadership, and a new experience for him (since they comprised a block of his own people voting against him), to see how he reacts to those proposals. If he can integrate a lot of those into a budget that will pass both houses by May 31, he will have shown the flexibility to deal successfully with a couple of new realities in both his own caucus and in the state and the world in general. If not, he has a tough row to hoe going forward.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:09 pm:
Ooops, sorry, Rich said to explain. Ok, gerrymandering attempts to make our votes count as little as possible, legal bribing of judges by lawyers who appear before them and donate to pol campaigns, rewarding fundraisers with school admissions for relatives even AFTER they’ve been indicted for stealing $100,000 from school kids, stiffling any challenger to one of his favorites by skirting the campaign finance laws and running dummy candidates.
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:12 pm:
If term limits were the law of the state, who would be Speaker at this point?
- Segatari - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:14 pm:
Yes he should retire. A lot of Illinois problems would be solved with him gone as he’s been a one-man blockade for so long. A new crew should come in since the old crew doesn’t have the solutions or the backbone to do anything that’s needed to fix the state’s woes.
- Pelon - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:16 pm:
Absolutely. Considering the job that the politicians from both parties have done over the last decade, I think anyone who has served more than two terms needs to retire. It’s time to give some other people a chance.
- "Old Timer Dem" - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:19 pm:
MJM is wrongfully blamed for the states budget woes. Remember “It is the economy stupid”. He will retire when he is ready or the electorate votes the Dems out of power. He likely knows when he is going to retire. The “Speaker” thinks years ahead and very seldom does anything by the seat of his pants. I think the current recession has caused him to rethink his long term plans. His legacy is at stake here and he needs to come out of this budget crisis and recession with his legacy intact. I am afraid this economy is not going to allow him to go out on his own terms. He will likely be re-elected Speaker again but his majority will be reduced significantly. The next two year term will probably be as or more challenging due to this enormous recession. He will have trouble keeping things together for much longer unless the economy turns. I do not think Lisa’s future political ambitions figure as much into MJM’s retirement plans as most think.
During his career, he has done a remarkable job for the state in some turbulent times (like Blago) and done far more good than bad. He should be judged accordingly.
- Eternal optimist - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:22 pm:
I think when people say he’s good at what he does, they’re referring to the fact that he’s a skilled politician that can get things done when he wants to. There’s no question about that. The problem is getting him to have priorities that are in line with what the state needs to recover from this mess and go forward. But instead he will focus on getting himself and his cohorts reelected. So unless he’s actually going to change and start working for the state instead of himself, he should step aside. Someone commented that there’s no one else in the House capable of leading, but I think they’re all just squelched as long as he’s in power. Get him out and all kinds of other things may change, including some members stepping who will then have the license to think independently and actually try to do some good and right things. But probably not.
- OMG! - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:30 pm:
40 former staffers turned lobbyists just lost their lunch over this post!
- MOON - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:35 pm:
ROBERT
I will let you in on a”little secret”. Not only has every newspaper, radio station, and TV station in the State looked at him and investigated his personal and political life, but so has the FEDS. All investigation show the man to be honest. There are no skeletons in his closet!
You and many others might not like his politics or where he stands on the issues. But remember, he was the only legislative leader to stand up to Blago. But for Madigan many of the senate and house members would have sold their souls for a cut of the action in the form of initiatives.
Madigan is the most honest elected official in the State, bar none! He should stay in office as long as he and his districts voters want him representing them.
- Excessively Rabid - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:41 pm:
Yes, but what do I know? I thought things would improve when Emil and Blago left. Sure wish somebody would attend to business, but who’s it going to be?
- circularfiringsquad - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 2:55 pm:
Only if u want the special interest running wild
- Bill - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:04 pm:
You mean as opposed to now, circie?
- Bill - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:05 pm:
To the question:
Nah, it doesn’t matter anymore. He might as well go down with the ship and take Cullerton with him.
- M14MIKE - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:14 pm:
Better ban me now. Cowardly liberal columnist.
Madigan is scum like most Illinois politicians and media for that matter.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:18 pm:
M14MIKE, I didn’t delete this one because I want people to see how absolutely insane you are. Happy now? Moron. Also, nice IP address there, doofus.
- envelop - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:23 pm:
should MM retire? Well, should one man rule come to an end? should the only common denominator in out state’s problems for the last number of years be removed? should the appearance, if not the reality, of a hazy line between his public duties and his law firm cease? should the advancement of his ability to generate campaign dollars for little lisa stop? Gee, I dunno…….thigs are pretty good right now
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:26 pm:
If he retires now there’d be no ability to grandly step aside to avoid a conflict of interest if and when Lisa runs for gov.
- jim - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:26 pm:
Of course, he should go. Will he? Never. He still has to acquire more perks and power and prestigious jobs and influence for his family members. He’ll go out feet first, if at all.
- fedup dem - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:33 pm:
Actually, I could see Madigan retiring from the General Assembly in 2012, assuming that Quinn wins in November and the state’s economic situation improves. Madigan would then be able to pass into law a legislative reapportionment bill without problems for the very first time. At that point, secure in having the Democrats in control of the General Assembly for the foreseeable future, Madigan can step aside.
- lincolnlover - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:34 pm:
Oh, please let it happen soon! Under his leadership, this state has become a laughing stock and broke. He needs to go NOW!
- Bill Henley - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:43 pm:
He strikes me as the kind of guy that will work til he can’t anymore. And also the kind of guy who lives a long life.
I certainly hope he does retire because he is the common denominator of all this legislative failure. And one man having as much power as he does is the antithesis of democracy.
- George - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:46 pm:
Well, I don’t see any way that Tom Cross and the House Republicans don’t take over the House majority this election. They are a shoe-in. See Ann Coulter.
And when that happens, Mike will resign.
- the Patriot - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:48 pm:
==I suspect that the Speaker’s plan is to stay until the budget is in better shape==
He won’t live that long! Not sure any of us will.
==All investigation show the man to be honest. There are no skeletons in his closet==
Put down the coolaid and slowly step away. Show me the investigations. No one is looking into him and especially since Obama is in the White house none of the feds are looking into him.
Just a quick point. He endorsed Rod even after Lisa refused too because he was under investigation. If he didn’t know he is an idiot, and Mike Madigan aint’ no idiot. If you are a party leader and you endorse a guy, you know is going to jail, there is only one reason, you are and plan to continue benfitting from him. May not be criminal, but not honest.
BTW, how about the constitutional violation on the balanced budget. Where is the investigation by the AG?
That issue alone ends the conversation. Thank you and good night!
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:53 pm:
Guess this QOTD means Jason “Daddy’s Deduction” Plummer has taken out one of those Life TIme subscriptions from Capt Fax and thrown himself right out of the blog.
Bet NoTaxBill is happy too.
- George - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 3:56 pm:
And there he is! Been waiting for you Circular…
- One of the 35 - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 4:15 pm:
Under his leadership and control, Illinois has come to its present financial position. How can you be proud of that?
- Oil Man - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 4:24 pm:
The citizens of Illinois should be so lucky.
- Obamas' Puppy - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 4:29 pm:
The movie about Roger Maris was 61*. The movie about Madigan would be 60*.
- David Starrett - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 4:45 pm:
I never thought I’d find myself defending Speaker Madigan, but so many (though not all) of the criticisms leveled against him here just don’t ring for me.
First, I really don’t think he’s a corrupt politician “lining his pockets.” He often blurs what I would consider a desirable line between policy and political considerations, but he’s not personally corrupt. It’s the process that’s corrupt, he’s just skilled in manipulating that process to his and his caucus’s best advantage.
I also disagree that he can be held responsible for the State’s current fiscal condition. That belongs to Blagojevich and his endless and often bizarre budget gimmicks many of which Madigan opposed. He should have been more willing to consider some greatly revised version of the GRT (which would track actual economic activity far better) but it was sprung on us all as part of a budget message.
I also don’t agree that Madigan has not evolved and adjusted over time. Does anyone else remember the “Speaker’s Special Order of Business?” We don’t have that anymore, do we? When I was working to force the General Assembly onto the internet, the Speaker’s office (Mapes especially) was in favor. They just wanted to make sure they got the credit and that Senate Republicans got the blame if it didn’t happen. But I think that’s less an indictment of Madigan than it is of the political culture he finds himself in. Could he have taken a hand in changing that culture? Absolutely, and that’s a criticism I’m willing to level against him.
But don’t forget this: It was Pat Quinn’s “Cutback Amendment” that changed the Illinois House of Representatives into something Madigan could rule with an iron fist on a partisan basis. He’s only taking advantage of what Quinn made possible, maybe even inevitable.
I suspect that Speaker Madigan would agree that the political fortunes of his daughter should stand on her merit and record, and not much focused attention has been given to either in the press since her election as AG. No doubt he offers advice, but I doubt he considers her fate closely tied to his.
With respect to Barbara Currie, I was disappointed as many were when she became Madigan’s loyal lieutenant, but I understood it perfectly well. Still, she does continue to have her own priorities and to advance them most of the time. She’s also just about the best floor debater I’ve ever seen.
So, to the question, then: “should Madigan retire after the end of the next term?” I think that will largely be dependent on the map, and the map will be largely dependent on the upcoming Gubernatorial election. Things are not looking so good right now. I doubt that he wants to be Minority Leader again.
In the meantime, he should continue to evolve toward more openness and inclusion of other members of his caucus and the Republicans. I think the record shows that has been his trajectory over the last dozen or so years, but it hasn’t been enough.
- State_Inmate - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:04 pm:
Mr.Madigan is corrupt if only for gaming the system to the degree that it hurt the taxpayer.
Having worked in state government for 20 years alongside patronage workers aligned with Mr. Madigan (clout) there is no doubt he is corrupt.
Corruption is a way of life here in Chicago but some would have you believe that if he was not caught he is clean as a whistle.
Perhaps in the eyes of the law… but anyone who is not blinded by politics can see otherwise.
- dupage dan - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:04 pm:
PQ and his Cutback Amendment. Now there is hard evidence of the governors’ incompetence and lack of fitness to govern.
I wonder if MJM should hang on until he loses the majority and loses the speakership. Leaving right now would look like perhaps he has his tail tucked and is running away. I can’t see him doing that.
David Starrett,
Do you have an opinion of MJM’s law firm working so hard to win property tax appeals which often reduce tax revenues while he is a member of the GA which is hamstrung w/lower revenues? So far the ChiTrib has searched but failed to find any shenanigans, try as they might.
- Amalia - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:12 pm:
No. and I write this as someone who loathes his methods.
but what is the alternative? unless we know the alternative,
and it is someone who keeps the zoo together down there,
he can stay.
- anno--mus - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:24 pm:
Heck no ! He does a good job for his district.
- David Starrett - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:43 pm:
State Inmate: (Sigh.) You make a really good point here, but I still think that it is the system (and legislative process too) which is really corrupt (and corrupting). I said that I thought that Madigan blurs what I think should be a line between policy and politics (perhaps I should have been clear that hiring is a policy and not a political matter) but this is just part of the culture I’ve criticized. Madigan only works it. There was a line two blocks long outside the White House after Lincoln was elected President comprised of those seeking Federal jobs. The President famously met with them all. 75 years ago we thought Civil Service eliminated that. It didn’t. 25 years ago we thought Shackman solved that and it didn’t. Do you now see the “whack-a-mole” character of reform efforts? One more thing: the “we don’t want nobody that nobody sent” public hiring culture has a pedigree predating Madigan’s birth by many decades. Should he have stood-up to change it? Yes. But if he had he would probably never have become Speaker of the House of Representatives.
dan: I’m not really familiar with Madigan’s property tax appeals law firm or the extent of his involvement with its efforts for clients. It’s not too tough top imagine that his status as the State’s Democratic party chair and Speaker of the House gets attention from Board of Review members, but his current paper with the Cook County Assessor isn’t so good either.
- State_Inmate - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:54 pm:
David, I see your position clearly but when we say it is the “process” are we not just calling his shortcoming something other than what it is?
When is right and wrong good enough? When i cross the law?
And the transgressions i elude to did not end with the civil shackman/rutan violation in hiring.
- State_Inmate - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:56 pm:
And it was not your post I was initially responding to- nothing personal.
- really? - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 5:56 pm:
@George- Did I really see a link to Ann Coulter in your post? I should be grateful it’s not a video with sound.
No one should “retire” unless that decision is one made by the person that is retring and that person has plans for retirement.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 6:11 pm:
No. There have been many times when he’s the only grownup in the room.
I thought he and Edgar clashed well. Made them both sharper. Yes, he was a Blago co-chair, but he did more than anyone to keep Rod stealing everything but a hot stove.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 6:20 pm:
Do people think the Speaker of the Illinois House has a major impact on the state economy? Or the governor? How, through taxation?
Revenues grew like gangbusters until the crash of 2008. He doesn’t deserve credit for that either.
There are much bigger forces at work in the economy.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 6:51 pm:
Although the velvet hammer has his talents and skills, I must agree with Palos Bob and a host of others who think the Speaker has used his power to consolidate his kingdom rather than lead the state to prosperity.
He knew Blago was a crook long before most and still he propped him up, passed pension borrowing legislation which allowed Blago to campaign on his no tax increase pledge and stuck us with this fiscal mess we are in today. Why, I ask you why?
The Speaker should either have a good government revelation and start using his power and skills to fix this state now or get out of the way. Maybe he could become a lakefront champion chess player or something.
- David Starrett - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 7:03 pm:
State Inmate: I read nothing personal into your post; this seems like a pretty good discussion to me. If your point is that behaviors and practices (even systems) can be unethical without being illegal, I agree completely.
I also agree that Shackman and Rutan did not resolve political hiring, far from it. Indeed, the Rutan attorney became Blagojevich’s patronage chief and still and has some explaining….
This is the “whack-a mole” reform phenomenon I spoke of earlier.
- State_Inmate - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 8:24 pm:
David,If only there were a more terminal “mole whacker” in the reform.
- A Grand Inquisitor - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 8:25 pm:
“Follow the wise spirit, the dread spirit of death and destruction.” In other words, MJM just won’t go away. He is but a symptom of a terrible illness.
- Reformer - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 8:32 pm:
If Madigan were to retire, I wonder how much Republicans would like Speaker Lang?
- Please - Friday, May 21, 10 @ 8:17 am:
yes - period - please - go away - move to Montana - please
- Daxx - Friday, May 21, 10 @ 8:51 am:
He needs to go. He blamed Blago and now Quinn for our state’s woes. The common denominator here is MJM. He and his loyal cronies have destroyed this state. He has put himself above the needs of the state. Every move he makes is about self preservation and hold on to the power. All at the expense of the people. I hold him responsible for the states problems. I don’t know how anyone could do any worse.
- siriusly - Friday, May 21, 10 @ 9:26 am:
Why all the focus on Michael Madigan? He’s just one of 118 members.
- siriusly - Friday, May 21, 10 @ 9:33 am:
But to answer your question Rich, I need to check with the Speaker’s people first to see if its okay for me to post what I really think. I’ll get back to you.
Okay now really, no. He shouldn’t retire especially now. He’s not to blame for the state’s fiscal crisis. He bares a portion of it, but I believe that most of the blame still belongs to Blago. Madigan is the one who stood up to Blago and stopped him. Those who point to his long career as a critique have yet acknowledge that he was the lone legislative leader who stood in the way of Governor Corruptovich. It was his power, tenure and lack of personal financial interest in state business that allowed him to do that. Everyone else had an iron in the fire. Emil’s wife, Emil’s son, etc. Nobody else wanted to mess with the bully.
If your QOTD was about him stepping aside as state party chairman I might have a different answer, but I have no faith that a new speaker would do as well or better than this one is. Nobody in the HDEM caucus gives me faith that they can do the job well.