74 Comments - MrJM - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:42 am: Who is your favorite Illinois politician who is not from the party you generally support? Judy Baar Topinka While the goofiness of Illinois politics usually ends in tears, Judy’s goofiness usually ends in laughs. – MrJM - lake county democrat - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:44 am: Joe Morris. - Flatlander - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:45 am: Kirk Dillard, should be Governor. He actually seems to get it. - JD - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:49 am: Toni Preckwinkle–she seems to want to unwind most of the misdeeds done by Junior, tax rollback and cost audits that will take effect. - Fan of Cap Fax - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:50 am: I really like Dan Rutherford! I don’t know him but he seems like a genuinely nice guy. And if I were a republican, I’d pick Senate President John Cullerton. Just love that guy! - PublicServant - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:53 am: I second MrJM - D.P. Gumby - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:53 am: Used to be Tom Cross…work w/ him on some legislation before he was leader and was smart and reasonable. Then, even while he was leader @ first, maintained those qualities, then….as the Blago reign of terror progressed, he disintegrated. Now, Dillard seems to be reasonable and rational, but haven’t worked with him closely, but based upon last campaign, he coulda been a contenda. - lovecapitolfax - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:54 am: Topinka! I dont know what she’s thinking, but I like it! - ISUDEM - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:54 am: Dan Brady, solid working legislator, strong supporter of public ed and unions. Would probably be a conservative Democrat if he were in any other county but McLean. Especially compared to the other Brady in our area, he’s a decent and thoughtful politician. - Observer 99 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:56 am: Kirk Dillard. I agree with earlier post: he should be Governor. - dave - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:58 am: Hmmm… used to say Beth Coulson. Now? Topinka is goofy, but is actually reasonable. Senators Althoff and Righter may be some of the last voices of reason in their caucus. - downstate hack - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:58 am: Kirk Dillard, He really seems to be able to work for what’s right and is willing to compromise on most issues, unlike most party leaders on both sides of the aisle. I think we would be much better off if he was Governor. - hammer - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 11:59 am: Topinka, She came to speak my civics program when I was in high school and I was impressed by her ability to be genuine and comfortable in a room full of people who weren’t her core constituency. I’d asked to intern for her before I realized she was a Republican. - Bill F. - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:00 pm: Rutherford. I did not vote for him for Treasurer, but I admired him as a State Senator and following him in the news and on Twitter, I can’t help but like him. I think he’s doing a good job. - OneMan - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:00 pm: Linda Chappa LaVia Provides good constituent service, has always been very helpful when we go down for gifted ed day and seems to be a good fit for our area. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:01 pm: Lisa Madigan. Lisa is all the obvious, but I will get this part out there: Smart, Savy, Patient…. But what I like about Lisa is that it IS about the office (AG), and not all of her moves are about the next press pop, or the next job. Lisa is visable, yet, she is not over-exposed or over the top. She oozes class, and represents her office with that class. What do I mean? Lisa never has cheapend the AG office. There are no bells and whistles to her programs, she lets the programs be what they are, and touts IT, not so much HER running IT. Finally, It could be real easy being MJM’s daughter. That sentence itself says it all. It could be easy. Lisa takes nothing for granted, and takes nothing as a given. Lisa has worked hard, done the people’s business, and can say she has a solid record she can claim as her own. Now … If anyone wants to get into this “nepotism” bit about her, remember … each party has “one or two” family links that they should NOT be too proud to have. MJM has been helpful, but after the YEARS Lisa has had in the legislature, and as the AG, I would be hard pressed to find someone who may have had the “help” Lisa gets, be as truly successful on their OWN as Lisa Madigan has. - Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:06 pm: I’m neither a Dem nor a Republican, so I’m choosing two. Judy Barr Topinka is my kind of Republican–I have no idea how she stands on social issues, but I trust her with the money. John Cullerton makes my neighborhood even more interesting than it would be if we just had Blago living down the street. Blago and Cullerton just blocks from each other really livens it up. - Team Sleep - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:06 pm: Since I stick mostly to national politics, I really like Jerry Costello. He is a hard worker who works well with both sides of the aisle and quietly, effectively helps his district. - Ralph M - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:09 pm: Kevin McCarthy, stand up guy. - ChicagoR - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:13 pm: Rutherford, for his courageous vote on civil unions. - Whatever - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:18 pm: Jesse White — he’s reasonable, effective, and actually seems to care about administering his office for the benefit of motorists, etc., instead of just trying to lay the groundwork for his next campaign for another office. - South of Sherman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:18 pm: Rutherford is way up there, so is Dillard, but for me Topinka is far and away the best Republican politician in the state right now. She’s partisan, but never strident about it; true to her principles but willing to compromise in a sensible way; and filled with a congeniality and good humor that is far too often missing in Illinois politics these days. - Nice Suit - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:20 pm: Taking a page from TS, I’ll stay national-first is LaHood-he was great to work with in the House and is a total professional in the Cabinet. IL specific is John Shimkus-more for his staff than him. His DC CoS is what every Chief should be-smart, professional, and accesible. - in absentia - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:28 pm: Lou Lang gets my vote because he’ll give you the time of day no matter what the setting and he’ll correct wrong-headed thinking with that smile on his face. In the past Vince Demuzio would have gotten my vote for the same reason. Loved the guy. - K3 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:29 pm: Rutherford, for his civil unions vote and the fact that he’s a nice guy who seems willing to work with anyone to get stuff done. I also enjoyed his appearance on CNBC. - nah - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:32 pm: kirk dillard - jerry 101 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:33 pm: Don’t know about his career in the House, but Ray LaHood’s doing a bang-up job as Secretary of Transportation. It’s nice to have someone in that job who realizes that transportation means more than more roads. He’s a big fan of mass transit, trains, bicycling, even walking (I read a quote from him where he talked about how great it was to be able to get to places on foot when he was a kid and how its not so much like that anymore). Of the one’s whom I’ve followed, he’s my favorite cabinet secretary. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:43 pm: One of the reasons I posted this today is because Lee Daniels’ portrait was just unveiled in the House. So, it’s a day of bipartisan warmth. We could all use a day like this every now and then. - A.B. - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:51 pm: Danny Davis. I may disagree with him on the issues, but when it comes to fighting for his district, he’s one of the best. - KIZ - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:52 pm: I guess I would agree with JD. I’ve never met Toni Preckwinkle, but she really seems to be taking charge and attempting to get things in order with Cook County. She’s articulate, smart - very refreshing change from the previous “leadership” at the County. I said Preckwinkle because Rich said to confine it to currently serving officials. However, I have to say, Dan Hynes is my favorite Democrat. I was a holdover from the previous administration (Republican) when he assumed the office of Comptroller, and he and his staff treated me with great kindness and respect. Total class act, and I will always be grateful to him for that. - LincolnLoungerI - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 12:58 pm: Though I disagree greatly with him politically, I admire Speaker Madigan. His discipline and intellect in achieving and maintaining power are remarkable. He attracts great people who seem forever loyal. Contrast him with Republican House leaders, and the differences are stark. - mokenavince - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 1:02 pm: My two are both women,on the Republican side J.B.T, and on the Deomcratic side Tony Preckwinkle. Judy was head and sholders better than BLAGO. Tony has 12 times the brain, heart, and guts than Quinn has. - Peter - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 1:06 pm: My reward as an independent moderate is to choose two, and cheat on one of those. Dems: Lisa. I spent the better part of the day on a Fark.com thread sticking up for her. It’s been said better in this thread before me, but she’s about the office before politics. Respect. GOP: statewide it’s a tossup between Dillard and Rutherford, but I really want to give a shoutout to Sen. Dave Luechtefeld. He’s a little too gloom and doom at times, but he’s not completely wrong, and he’s more than willing to bash his party openly when they’ve got it coming. He doesn’t get as much exposure statewide, but if the GA had more members like him there would be a marked improvement. - Small Town Liberal - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 1:08 pm: Mike Tryon, great guy to chat with if you run into him at a Springfield watering hole. - R.C. - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 1:33 pm: Rich, I know you wanted to keep this in Illinois, but considering the fire he’s under from his own party literally due to his competency, I’m going to say Dick Lugar in Indiana. Always been a huge fan of his. - Belle - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 1:43 pm: It used to be difficult to admit to my friends that I voted for Judy Barr…but, then came the reality of Blago. - Gregor - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 1:49 pm: Jim Thompson with Topinka right behind him. Thompson might have made a great vice presidential pick but fate intervened. He also distinguished himself on the 9/11 commission. A superb intellect, very bright, as well as personable. He’s kind of tarnished himself with me lately with the Ryan/Blago stuff tho. Topinka is in a class by herself, an original, and agree with her or not, you have to respect her… and her party really dropped the ball in not backing her more and sooner. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 2:19 pm: Skip Saviano on personality. Jim Durkin on policy. When he disagrees, its actually usually an informative policy discussion, instead of regurgitated talking points. - Defend the Truth - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 2:28 pm: Danny Davis is one of the best. I agree, he fights for his district. - Montrose - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 2:30 pm: I would go with Rep. Bob Pritchard. A good guy that will take the time to listen and let new information actually shift his position. It is a rare treat in this day and age. - Zoble21 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 2:34 pm: Senator Shane Cultra, his vote doesn’t waiver and he stands by his beliefs - MMBA - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 2:57 pm: I would have to go with Dillard, he would have been in the mansion right now. Has the bipartisan appeal that was needed in November! - Pandora - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:04 pm: Rosemary Mulligan. Works hard. Committed. Listens to folks and very committed. - Edge of the 14th Ward - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:07 pm: Dan Lipinski, who I’m counting as a Republican for the purpose of this question. I can’t stomach the way Lipinski inherited his Congressional seat, but his votes against TARP and the health care bill seem like they were driven by principle. - Bemused - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:10 pm: Frank Edwards Get past the local level and the party controls to much. - Anon - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:22 pm: Skip Saviano. Works across the aisle whenever he can if it is for the right reasons - reformer - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:22 pm: Rutherford because he defends his state instead of joining the GOP bashfest. And because he insists we do need to borrow money (tho not Quinn’s plan) in order to save money, contrary to GOP rhetoric. In short, he has the ability to transcend partisanship in the public interest, a rare virture in Springfield these days. - Jasper - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:29 pm: Danny Davis fighting for his district? That’s news to those of us living in his district. But my choice would be Dan Proft. He can be extreme, but he’s also witty. If you are going to say strange stuff, it helps to say it is a way that is entertaining. Also, I second the choice of Richard Lugar if we are going to go beyond Illinois. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:42 pm: On the GOP side, I think Dillard has been at the top of the heap for a while, a rational suburban Republican in the great Illinois GOP tradition. But, as noted by many, Rutherford has been very impressive on civil unions and his standing up to the Fox haters when they wanted him to bash Illinois. Well done, sir. On the Dem side, Mike Madigan is the sharpest knife in the drawer who doesn’t get the credit he deserves from the blowhards at the Trib. From Day One, this state has been full of political criminals, boodlers, bamboozlers and lunatics, and a tough, smart, disciplined, conservative, Southwest Side Irishman whose word is gold and can crack the whip has kept Blago, Jones and others from robbing the state blind. - just sayin' - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:44 pm: Toni Preckwinkle, nands down. Republicans would be lucky to have an offical on-tenth as smart and responsible. - anon - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 3:50 pm: Saviano — Work well with all. - Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 4:52 pm: For me it’s a tie between Heather Steans and Greg Harris. I met with both of these legislators in 2009. Sen. Steans was recently supportive of collective bargaining, and she firmly told us stuff in 2009 that my colleague and I didn’t want to hear, that we needed to have pension reform, as in the one that was recently enacted. She held her ground, and I appreciate her balance (in my opinion). Greg Harris was very approachable and returned my phone call once. He must be very busy, and I’m not a constituent. - LouisXIV - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 5:20 pm: Rosemary Mulligan. If more Republicans were like her they might actually make Illinois a purple state again. - Old Republican - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 5:40 pm: I can’t believe no one has listed Mike Madigan. I’ve watched him for almost 30 years and there is no one who can hold a candle to him. Republicans couldn’t ask for a more worthy opponent. It’s rare to go toe-to-toe with him and win, but if you do, you know you’ve really accomplished something. - Bruno Behrend - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 5:42 pm: I gotta go with LincolnLoungerI @ 12:58 pm: Madigan might be a Sith Lord controlling the empire, but he’s worthy of respect as an adversary. I feel compelled to kibitz on the Dem’s choices for their Republicans - every one of which would merely keep the gravy train rolling, and none of whom really “get it.” - unless one means patronage jobs and pension goodies. - cermak_rd - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 6:13 pm: Topinka. She irritated me by dissing the Spire that used to be Berwyn, but other than that, she seems not to be blindly partisan. - Jechislo - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 6:16 pm: Not in office any more but, Glenn Poshard. He should have been Governor. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 6:20 pm: Miss The Spire. It was like tearing down the Tower of Pisa, all to move a Walgreen’s 50 yards over. Fortunately, Berwyn still has Bob’s Friendly Tap, Gina’s Italian Ice, the original Buona Beef, Horribles (think Son of Svengoolie retail and antiques), Fitzgeralds, Turano Bread and Bakery, Wishbone and Hogan’s Teamsters and much more all on a short stretch of Roosevelt Road. - anon - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 6:59 pm: The Velvet Hammer/MJM—still the hardest working and politically savy Dem in the State hands down. Judy Baar Topinka—Great Comeback…what more can you say. - Sophie - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 7:09 pm: Nooooo…..I didn’t want to choose!! - someonehastosayit - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 7:13 pm: Mark Kirk…anyone disliked by the right wingers as much as he is can’t be all bad. - Downstate Commissioner - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 7:19 pm: Mike Madigan- used to dislike him because of his power and control, but when Blagovich tried to take over, that same power and control was the only thing that could and would attempt to control him. (I still wonder who Madigan would have voted for if Edgar had come out of retirement against Blago…) - Susie - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 7:23 pm: John Millner. Just a great guy who I can depend on to be in the middle on issues. - Sophie - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 7:27 pm: @someonehastosayit: Senator Kirk is a good choice for non-GOP voters. He is one of only a few Illinois politicians to express his views on the legalization of marijuana at the site of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). http://stash.norml.org/?tag=politicians-on-pot+Illinois - Baines 4 Prez - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 7:34 pm: As someone pretty disgusted with both parties I’ll give my two as well. For the Dems, I have to concur with the comments of those who have sided with Lisa Madigan. She’s been a pro, and I was pretty shocked that she didn’t decide to run for governor. She’s handling things at her own pace & has been a total pro, and ultimately quite independent of her family name. On the Republican side, I will have to say Dan Brady. He knows his stuff on the issues, is all over his district and in constant contact with his constituents, and a very amiable fellow who I cannot recall doing any stupid, major grandstanding (because he has no need to). - Lake Lahontan - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 7:49 pm: Topinka - entertaining and about as honest in her opinions as a lol can be. Enjoyed her as one of Rahm’s foes on WBEZ inside politics 20+ years ago as have crossed over to vote for her. But Rutherford’s CNBC interview was also a great rare case of disagreeing without being disagreeable, - railrat - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 8:03 pm: I believe power is an illusion, where have ALL THE STATESMAN gone? My opinion the ONLY true Statesman now are Dillard and Madigan. How sad !! Not for lack of respect for those two, but my opinion is thats it out of both chambers!!. - Chesiwck - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 8:21 pm: Raymond Poe for the food. - Chesiwck - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 8:24 pm: And the generosity. - Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 9:59 pm: Dan Brady of Dan Rutherford. Both are willing to listen to the opposition and seem willing to put partisanship aside to do what’s best for their district and the state. - Quizzical - Wednesday, Mar 2, 11 @ 10:39 pm: I’d go along with one of the Dan Brady, Dan Rutheford, Judy Barr trio. - Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Mar 3, 11 @ 12:03 am: I’ll go with Rutherford. I wish he was a Dem - we could use him on the bench. Besides, I like leaders who look at the issue first and default partisan ideology second. - we are out of money - Thursday, Mar 3, 11 @ 3:23 am: Jesse White. Because he is Jesse White. - Elise - Thursday, Mar 3, 11 @ 1:58 pm: Michael Madigan. Always 3 steps ahead. 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