Welcome to Chicago, now go away
Wednesday, Feb 24, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* In the not so olden days, they’d tear up the sidewalk and maybe even the street. So I suppose this is somewhat of an improvement…
* More from CBS 2…
In much of the district, Madigan remains familiar and popular and, he intends to stay. The block outside Gonzales’ Pulaski Avenue office just became a no parking zone until 3/16, the day after the election. Coincidence? Gonzales thinks not.
“He’ll do anything, absolutely anything in his power to get reelected,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales admits accepting major money from donors who also support Governor Bruce Rauner, but he insists, he’s a Democrat through and through, not a Republican plant.
Madigan’s district is about 70 percent Hispanic, which may help Gonzales. Still, he knows who the underdog is…and it’s him.
- A Modest Proposal - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:20 am:
Imagine what the backlash would be if an opponent of Gov. Rauner was in a similar situation.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:21 am:
Things I “know”…
The no parking sign was not an accident.
Gonzo is a Raunerite.
Gonzo is taking Raunerite monies.
Speaker Madigan is taking this seriously.
This no parking thing is probably the weakest thing chosen.
Gonzo should not have been surprised.
It still made me laugh, out loud too.
- Wow - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:21 am:
I bet tomorrow Rauner has a presser announcing that IDOT has the authority to take over the streets in the 13th ward!!!
- Nick Danger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:24 am:
@Wow…now that would be LOL.
- Stones - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:27 am:
About as subtile as a sledgehammer.
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:27 am:
It’s like the old republican trick, where they would take a car or truck marked with, say, Gonzo signs, and make it look like it was vandalized (Flat tires, spray paint, etc.) by the Democrats.
So by the Republican / Rauner standard, this was kind of minor.
Kind of funny to see Gonzo the Raunerite so pie-eyed about it all. No doubt his GOP friends will swoop in soon with some of their time-tested tricks.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:28 am:
Does this not happen in the suburbs where you are from Jason?
- Bogey Golfer - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:29 am:
@Wow. Rauner will wait for the blizzard to end and the snow is removed….then he’ll take over the streets…..no, wait potholes.
- anonymoose - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:29 am:
Doing my best Bugs Bunny imitation:
“….you realize of course, this means war.”
- Memo From Turner - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:31 am:
Love how Willy enjoys these kind of dirty tricks when they are done by a member of his real party.
- Saluki - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:31 am:
Ridiculous.
- Reformed Public Servant - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:32 am:
In case there’s any doubt who is in charge, Gonzales cries foul while standing under a sign of “EL MIKE Barber Shop”…
- phocion - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:32 am:
Not smart for Madigan’s thugs to do. Earned media and sympathy for the underdog is all this scored. Laugh all you want OW. Doubt you’d be yucking it up if this happened to Sam McCann.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:32 am:
“He’ll do anything, absolutely anything in his power to get reelected,” Gonzales said.
This - coming from a guy who has covered up everything that can be learned about him, to get elected.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:34 am:
More relics and maneuvers from a bygone era,
- orzo - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:34 am:
MJM’s homage to Chris Christie.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:36 am:
Ok now you can park the truck with the digital sign on it,revealing gonzo’s benefactors right out front blocking his view
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:36 am:
- Memo From Turner -,
You don’t know me at all…
I absolutely love the old school tricks no matter who does them. It’s an absolute caricature way of looking at Chicago politics.
Next it’s no garbage pickup. Then, the repaving of the alley on the block he lives. Maybe even holding up permits for a 30-year traditional block party…
It’s so old school it’s laughing at it being thought “how can this happen?”
You need to get over your obsessing on me…
- ToughGuy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:38 am:
Just another example of the trees and street poles Michael Madigan and the Democratic majority controls (snark).
- Responsa - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:39 am:
It looks like more people here are heartily amused by the Chicago style dirty trick than they are concerned about the effect to residents or visitors in the area who could not park their cars after the improper signs were posted. Priorities people!
- jerry 101 - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:43 am:
Holy smokes. That picture.
Is that Puddy from Seinfeld? Looks a whole lot like Puddy:
https://41.media.tumblr.com/3f38dd38a0348de84c65e8d8f59492a8/tumblr_mnb9jgtFS81s99m4bo1_500.jpg
- Tumbleweed lines - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:45 am:
Stupid staffers stuck in the old…. doing things like this is frowned upon espesialbe when the whole state is watching as nowadays boneheaded moves like this will move the needle to the underdog…whomever gave the order should be cut loose. smh meh.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:46 am:
Ah, yes. Just a quaint ole “dirty trick”. It’s comical really. It’s what makes Chicago so special. /snark/
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:47 am:
- Memo From Turner -
“Jason Plummer? Won’t see him no more… “
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:47 am:
What’s the world coming to?
One little complaint and the Chicago Police take the signs down?
I guess all-powerful warlord clout ain’t what it used to be.
- Archiesmom - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:47 am:
This is just a hint, kid.
- BigDaddy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:48 am:
See this is why people are sick and tired of this crap. Whomever authorized this should be fired immediately. They should be investigated and terminated if not charged legally for this. We can not tolerate and laugh off this type of behavior. The dem stalwarts will laugh this off but its not funny
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:49 am:
Mike Madigan controls enough influence statewide to get you a job overnight or even get no parking signs installed at a place of his choosing overnight.
And those are people over which he has no direct control in regards to their legislation or levels of campaign support.
But we are supposed to believe he does not largely control his own caucus through his dual role as speaker and party chairman? Incidents like this undermine that assertion. His influence and control runs wide and deep in Illinois.
- The Velour Nail - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:51 am:
Bringing attention to the signs does not help Gonzales in that district and can only hurt with many voters who understand subtle messages. Dude would have been better off ignoring the signs and parking a block away.
- Free Roddy B - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:51 am:
Should have just charged people to park there. He had this thing and it was fuggin golden.
- Macbeth - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:52 am:
Dude — and when I say, “Dude” I mean Gonzalez — do you have any self awareness at all? Or maybe a sense of irony.
I don’t know.
But you’re being interviewed in front of an ‘El Mike’ sign. If that’s not a sign — literally and figuratively — I don’t know what is.
El Mike, dude. El Mike.
- Bob Blade - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:52 am:
Next up for Gonzo—Break your own windows and call a news conference.
- Omay - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:54 am:
Maury: “After our experts have examined the handwriting, they have determined that, yes it is yours Mr. Gonzo.”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:55 am:
Mike Madigan controls enough influence statewide to get you a job overnight or even get no parking signs installed at a place of his choosing overnight.
And those are people over which he has no direct control in regards to their legislation or levels of campaign support through his dual role as speaker and party chair. His influence runs wide and deep in Illinois.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:57 am:
“Imagine what the backlash would be if an opponent of Gov. Rauner was in a similar situation.”
Exactly…everyone on this site finding this situation funny would be in absolute panic mode and there would be 100+ comments within the hour.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:57 am:
Whether it’s a brick through the window, slashed tires, etc., unless it’s an incident like Tony Peraica caught in the act tearing down signs, you can’t know for sure who pulls these mickey-mouse stunts.
One thing is sure: the incident is a big net win for Gonzales, as it got him face-time playing David to Goliath on the tee-vee box for free.
Free TV time is a good thing for a challenger. I’m guessing the sharpies in Madigan’s crew know that.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:01 am:
Ugh.
It was a sign, it got Gonzo press, it’s an absolute caricature of the “old ways” that Twitter caught.
Rauner
Rauner “McKinneyed” Dave McKinney.
Do we all want to play “Holier than thou” and compare?
It’s a sign, held up by string, and Gonzo got some play on it.
It’s laugh out loud comical
- The Velour Nail - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Wordslinger, this type of “free TV time” does nothing for Gonzales in the 22nd District. While it may capture the hearts of some of the tinfoil crowd in other places, this type of publicity can only hurt Gonzales on the southwest side.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:07 am:
The I-Team has learned that Madigan opponent Jason Gonzales struck several potholes driving down Pulaski recently, in the heart of Boss Madigan’s 13th Ward. The damage to his car was minor, but Gonzales says he won’t be intimidated by Madigan’s thug tactics.
“I’ve driven this street for months and have never seen potholes like this. Then I get into the race against Madigan, and now there are potholes everywhere? It’s no coincidence that I’m challenging a powerful boss, so if it only costs me some new tires, it’s worth it. I just hope it doesn’t reach the point where we’re talking realignment.”
- Rabid - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:08 am:
The signs were there to accommodate the armored truck stop
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:09 am:
“Imagine what the backlash would be if an opponent of Gov. Rauner was in a similar situation.”
There would be calls for a formal investigation into his abuse of power. It would be bigger than Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate”. And no matter what the findings, people would be left with the permanent impression of him as a petty, mean-spirited individual.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:10 am:
===Willy lives his life vicariously through Cap Fax…===
Nah. If I did, there would be a golf course somewhere around and Yuengling Beer would be readily available in Illinois.
Then… then… I’d live here vicariously.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:11 am:
–Wordslinger, this type of “free TV time” does nothing for Gonzales in the 22nd District. While it may capture the hearts of some of the tinfoil crowd in other places, this type of publicity can only hurt Gonzales on the southwest side.–
Why is that?
The clear implication from the free TV time is that the underdog is being bullied by the big bad man.
How is that not positive for Gonzalez?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:12 am:
Considering the lack of traction this guy is getting I would put my money on he put those signs up himself.
My friends in that neighborhood are telling me he’s pretty much getting chased off of every porch he tries to go up.
- LizPhairTax - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:14 am:
Probably a lot like the brick through Jill Stanek’s window. Hope we get to the bottom of this deep, deep mystery.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:15 am:
I am going to agree with those who say the message actually does not help with the voters in that district. It only serves to remind people about the clout and the influence, which is important to some voters believe it or not.
But maybe not in the suburbs where Gonzo is from.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:19 am:
–“Imagine what the backlash would be if an opponent of Gov. Rauner was in a similar situation.”–
I’m sure we all agree that there should be a thorough investigation into apprehending and bringing to justice those responsible for getting Gonzales free TV time.
- Tone - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:19 am:
Madigan needs to go. He is destroying Illinois.
- Liberty - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:27 am:
Best post today:
- Rabid - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:08 am:
The signs were there to accommodate the armored truck stop
- From the 'Dale to HP - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:28 am:
This entire race is a waste of everyone’s time (and money). State’s going down the drain, but let’s spend far too much oxygen talking about a primary race that the challenger has next to no shot at winning. Priorities people.
- Robert the 1st - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:31 am:
Reading the comments here you’d think Madigan is the people’s champion.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:34 am:
The baseless victim-blaming in some of the comments here is unbelievable.
Some of you really have lost your humanity after so many years in politics.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:35 am:
===Some of you really have lost your humanity===
And some have lost all proportionate thinking.
- Anonymouth - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:35 am:
I am not sure that Jason Gonzales outperforms Michelle Piczszor’s numbers from 2012.
- Mason born - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:39 am:
Anonymous 11:09
–It would be bigger than Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate”. And no matter what the findings, people would be left with the permanent impression of him as a petty, mean-spirited individual.–
Pretty sure the Governors actions have cemented that impression more than any investigation could.
For the love pick a name.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:39 am:
Absolute power requires absolute measures. It’s not funny, but it is typical. The Speaker leaves nothing to chance, and this one has him obsessing no matter how unlikely this guy’s chances are. I’d say he’s losing sleep, but I doubt he sleeps.
- Robert the Bruce - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:45 am:
==Gonzo should not have been surprised.==
Agreed. Not sure he was surprised though. Mighta been faux outrage to garner positive media attention.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:47 am:
Guess it was easier for Gonzo to move the street cleanin’ sign than smash a window and damage a car like MichelleForIL did.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:47 am:
===Gonzo should not have been surprised.
It still made me laugh, out loud too.===
Perspective?
Gonzo is running a race claiming…
“537 years of Madigan is enough!”
… and in 21st Century fashion, via Twitter, Gonzo highlights a “days gone by” tactic that would not have the immediate response mechanism of Twitter years ago to highlight Gonzo’s own theme of “Old School”…
… let alone the sheer caricature comedy of this happening.
If you think I would react “differently if…” check out my comment on the brick through the window of Jill Stanek…
…
Then… then get back to me.
It’s comical in its old school tradition in 21st century mass communication.
- Mason born - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:49 am:
Rich
Don’t you know making a Rauner backed candidate walk 2 blocks is worse than forcing Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, CSU, EIU, and other higher ed to go broke. Man you have lost your humanity! !!!!!
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:50 am:
The dude’s twitter handle is Gonzo? Taking him even less seriously now…
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:50 am:
–Absolute power requires absolute measures.–
They don’t make “absolute measures” like they used to.
I’m sure Gonzales would be happy with any mickey-mouse stunt that got him free TV time. Why wouldn’t he?
===Some of you really have lost your humanity===
Give someone your car keys, please, for humanity’s sake.
- Mason born - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:55 am:
Rich
Don’t you know making a Rauner backed candidate walk 2 blocks is worse than forcing Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, CSU, EIU, and other higher ed to go broke. Man you have lost your humanity! !!!!!
- Cook County Commoner - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:03 pm:
In the old days, the lads from Streets and San would have dug some holes or worse.
I view this as progress for the Chicago Dems.
- Williamson County Resident - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
C’est la vie;
OR to use the classic Studs Terkel’s line from Eight men out, “This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen.”
- Groucho - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
I would not be surprised if Jason Gonzales put the signs up.
- Me too - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:40 pm:
Left with the permanent impression he’s a petty, mean spirited individual.
They already think this.
Source: Bruce Rauner used Gilman as a middle man to relay threats such as, “I will bury her” and “I will make her radioactive.” The lawsuit also quotes Rauner allegedly telling Gilman, “She will never get another job anywhere, ever. I will bankrupt her with legal fees. I don’t know if she has a family or not. But if she does, she better think twice about this.”
- cgohr - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
This really has to bring a smile to most faces…you’ve got to love the old school appeal. It’s what makes Chicago a special place and Speaker Madigan, uniquely Illinois.
- mokenavince - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:57 pm:
Madigan will encourage that one of his pals with the last name Gonzales runs to balance things out.
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:01 pm:
I agree with Groucho.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:08 pm:
–Mike Madigan controls enough influence statewide to get you a job overnight or even get no parking signs installed at a place of his choosing overnight.–
A 10-year-old with a Wang PC, a printer and a pair of Keds could have put those signs up overnight.
If Madigan’s peeps did it, they were stupid, because Gonzales got free TV playing underdog-done-wrong.
If Gonzales peeps did it, they were smart, for the same reason.
Either way, free TV time for Gonzalez.
- Cheswick - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:09 pm:
I just hope the next time I see Mike Madigan I don’t call him “El Mike.”
- Freeze up - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:11 pm:
No parking signs tied to a tree with string? Seems official enough.
- Fed Up - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:34 pm:
I trust a politician, any politician, as far as I can throw an elephant by the tail. This could be a set up by Gonzalez or something Madigan did. It doesn’t matter. They all have their agendas and they don’t care about those of us who are struggling due to no budget. Just pass a budget! We’re hurting!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 2:12 pm:
Wait till he needs another garbage can……good luck!
- Beaner - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 3:40 pm:
- Groucho - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
I agree. This was staged by the challenger.
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 4:00 pm:
If Gonzo did put up those signs all by himself, that may well be his high-water accomplishment as an “innovation consultant”.
– MrJM