* We had a lot of fun with this on Twitter over the weekend…
* From his website’s bio…
Madigan learned about service at a young age: His father was ward superintendent for their Southwest Side neighborhood, and when his father passed unexpectedly, the younger Madigan stepped up to ensure local residents would still get their snow shoveled, streets plowed and trash collected.
Madigan continues to serve the people of his community, maintaining a top-rated constituent service office. Madigan’s office helps hundreds of seniors clear snow after winter storms and he makes sure homebound residents get check-in calls during extreme hot or cold weather.
While the city can take weeks to remove graffiti, Madigan’s office operates its own graffiti blaster and has a full-time team that removes graffiti as soon as it is reported.
Madigan is also working to provide property tax relief to local homeowners by hosting regular tax appeal seminars, helping local seniors receive tax exemptions and working with local residents to reclaim more than $1 million in overpaid taxes.
Madigan was first elected as a delegate to the 1970 state Constitutional Convention and then as a state Representative the same year. As Speaker of the House, Madigan has worked to build consensuses, improve the quality of life for residents across all regions of Illinois and address Illinois’ most pressing issues in a cooperative and bipartisan manner. He advocates for honest, efficient government and has fought to strengthen the financial security of middle-class families. Under his leadership, the Legislature has enacted sweeping ethics laws, the first campaign finance limits in state history, and needed reforms to the state budget process and workers’ compensation system.
* He’s advertising the site on Facebook…
Nice font.
* Like I said, we had some fun with this one…
Your own thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** You had to know this was coming. From the ILGOP…
“More than four decades of destruction with massive pension debt, unbalanced budgets, machine politics, and self-dealing - that’s the Madigan record. Welcome to the 21st century, Speaker Madigan, but pictures of you sporting a smile with children won’t save you from all the damage you’ve done to Illinois.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Longtime Speaker of the House and technological dinosaur Mike Madigan shocked the internets on Friday when Capitol Fax reported to the Twittersphere that Madigan has finally entered the 21st century with the creation of a new Facebook page and website, both ironically branded as “Madigan for Us,” with “us” being insiders, special interests, and the political class.
Madigan’s newfound internet presence showcases pictures of a smiling Madigan reading to children, enjoying a cup of coffee with fellow senior citizens, and telling wisecracks to area youngsters outside a grocery store.
But after taking a brief look through the comments on Madigan’s inaugural Facebook post, one will quickly realize that voters aren’t buying the spin.
Madigan is known to virtually all Illinoisans and not in a good way. He has been described as “the constant in key decisions that created the mess.” Under Madigan’s watch, Illinois has seen:
Four income tax hikes, taking billions of dollars from Illinois families
Years of pension holidays that led to over $130 billion in debt for Illinois’ five pension systems
Spending rum amok with over fifteen years of budget deficits
Highest in the nation property taxes for Illinois homeowners
All of which has led to the highest in the nation out-migration
Unfortunately for Madigan, staged pictures of him sporting a smile won’t save him from his decades of destruction.
- Reality Check - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:26 am:
Whichever of your pals is using that default font should be unfriended with extreme prejudice.
- Amalia - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:29 am:
Soon, someone will do a SNL short on this like the Avatar skit.
- ILPundit - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:30 am:
I feel we cannot do this post justice without the ability to take these images and post memes to the board. There is a deep well of comedy to be mined if we only had the tools.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:31 am:
Feel like I woke up in a weird parallel universe.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:33 am:
If this all evolves to Twitter and snapchat, I hope that emojis become the norm.
To the Post,
It’s Michael J. Madigan being put on the “Madigan Plan -2017″ chock full of social media and “interaction”, pictures, smiles, seniors and kids.
I can’t wait for the Twitter.
Maybe we might see some “Madi-Bots” spring up along side mushrooms?
- cdog - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:35 am:
I am impressed by the actions of Southwest Side Mike.
Not so impressed with Springfield Mike.
- OneMan - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:36 am:
You are the fifth PR shop we have talked to…
Ok
We want to do a website and some content that makes Mike Madigan look warm and fuzzy… Pictures with kids, him just having some coffee with someone and kvetching…
Ok, where is the camera?
What?
This is obviously some sort of prank, did Rich put you up to this? Cullerton perhaps?
No, we are totally serious… Stop laughing…
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:36 am:
They need to add some dogs and cats in the pictures. Can you imagine a picture of Madigan petting a cat?
- OneMan - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:37 am:
If you check, the font they use is called.
“literally the least like Mike Madigan font available”
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:39 am:
Hmmm. The pic with Mr. Speaker reading to the kids while wearing a $400 Burberry shirt we saw over the weekend seems to have vanished.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:42 am:
Brutal response to his only FB post. https://www.facebook.com/MadiganforUs/posts/122061325164467
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:43 am:
It was bound to be hilarious after all these decades when the Madigan p.r. team discovered modern tools. Kind of like a spoof of the opening scenes of “2001″ (but not the Mel Brooks kind).
Doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do it. I mean, name a politican whose website isn’t ridiculous with the self-serving warm and fuzzy.
I’m concerned about the former long-serving stalwarts of fhe Madigan communications team. Did they find a nice farm Downstate to retire the carrier pigeons and Pony Express horseys?
- PublicServant - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:43 am:
I would have superimposed Mike’s face on a golden delicious and called it a day.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:43 am:
===Hmmm. The pic with Mr. Speaker reading to the kids while wearing a $400 Burberry shirt we saw over the weekend seems to have vanished.===
Nope: https://www.facebook.com/MadiganforUs/photos/a.117496578954275.1073741827.114329822604284/117496492287617/?type=1&theater
- Where's the Truth? - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:47 am:
“This ad paid for by taxpayers everywhere in Illinois”
- DuPage - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:49 am:
Madigan needs to fight back against the Rauner attack ads. I am surprised Madigan did not start these sooner, Rauner has been using Madigan as a punching bag ever since he became governor.
- A guy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:49 am:
He’s such a different guy than who I thought he was. /s
- Nothsider - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:57 am:
== If you check, the font they use is called.
“literally the least like Mike Madigan font available” ==
Now I’m curious; what would a “Mike Madgian” font look like? (Don’t say “Dingbats.” Too easy.)
- Amalia - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:58 am:
Pretty soon, Mike will be in that Apple commercial, walking down the street, putting on a hat…You’ve got a strange effect on me, and I like it…..
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:10 pm:
Strike that. Burberry Lives. #ManOfThePeople?
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
“Standing up for our values”
“As Speaker of the House, Madigan has worked to build consensus, improve the quality of life for residents across all regions of Illinois and address Illinois’ most pressing issues in a cooperative and bipartisan manner. He advocates for honest, efficient government and has fought to strengthen the financial security of middle-class families”
Sounds great except the vast majority of Illinois residents strongly reject this characterization and the Speaker has earned his position as the most unpopular politician in Illinois by far.
I don’t think a single Republican member of the Illinois General Assembly would describe the Speaker as bipartisan.
How can the Speaker claim the financial security of Illinois middle class residents has improved after the crushing tax increases and lack of reforms?
- ColonelA - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
The font is from the settings of the person who snapped the pic… not the ad. You can see it is all the person’s mobile settings.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:14 pm:
===don’t think a single Republican member of the Illinois General Assembly would describe the Speaker as bipartisan.===
‘Cept when in bipartisan votes, Republicans and Democrats together override the damaging Rauner vetoes to save Illinois.
‘Cept there… lol
===How can the Speaker claim the financial security of Illinois middle class residents has improved after the crushing tax increases and lack of reforms?===
That Rauner failed to stop?
“What will be different in a Rauner second term?”
More failure.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:19 pm:
===Sounds great except the vast majority of Illinois residents strongly reject this characterization and the Speaker has earned his position as the most unpopular politician in Illinois by far.===
Rauner’s 63% statewide disapproval ain’t something to want to compare to anyone.
To the Post,
Putting the Speaker in the 2017 “Madigan Plan” is to finally put on notice that a flag has been planted to try to at least make noise heard in the 21st century.
Will it be successful or keep the numbers from a continued downward tact? I dunno. I dunno but it’ll be fun to watch.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:22 pm:
Rauner is not damaged because of the veto and he is most certainly running for re-election
How many of “the perfect 10” are not damaged and running for re-election?
If voter perceived that vote as “perfect” as you describe they would win in a landslide
- Newsclown - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
Well, let’s go see this facebo—- oh my.
“I looked at the comments, Ray..” gif
If the IPI and Trib Editorial board seem quiet today, it’s because they’re all busy, furiously posting hate mail under various alts on Madigan’s facebook
I wonder if Madigan’s moderator will leave them there or nuke them, like Rauner’ crew does?
I would have too, if he’d picked Comic Sans or Papyrus.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
Just wait until his DCCC-style email program starts!
- Responsa - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:28 pm:
Who could have possibly foreseen that the speaker could come up with something that makes the governor’s Carharrts look “real” by comparison.
- OneMan - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
Kid 1: Mr. Madigan would you please read us a story that isn’t “The Little Property Tax Appeal Attorney Who Could”
Kid 2: Also can we skip the book about the three little candidates including the one made out of straw this time.
- OneMan - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:30 pm:
I think literally anyone…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:31 pm:
===Rauner is not damaged because of the veto and he is most certainly running for re-election===
I wouldn’t call Rauner’s own explanation to Bret Baier on the multiple and compounded failures Rauner had, then facing a “Pat Quinn failed” with no budgetary successes for 3 budgets… and that 63% disapproval… it’ll be fun to watch Rauner too, especially after lying to a Cardinal and singing HB40.
No Madigan on that statewide ballot. Nope.
===If voter perceived that vote as “perfect” as you describe they would win in a landslide===
Then Rauner should win in a landslide after destroying social services, higher education, signing HB40… why is Rauner polling so low… 63% disapproval…
The Madigan website and social media platform will be fun to watch.
I’ll let those like Rep. Andersson speak for his reason why he’s leaving.
When a governor is willing to spend millions against his own party because that governor wants to continue to destroy a state… that’s warped thinking. Who wants that governor leading your Phony Raunerite Party?
- Responsa - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:33 pm:
==I’m concerned about the former long-serving stalwarts of the Madigan communications team. Did they find a nice farm Downstate ==
We can only hope for their sake that it really *is* a “farm”.
- Macbeth - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
Good campaign: but good god. The person who chose the font should be fired.
Or: let’s not have the interns do the PR campaigns anymore.
- Demoralized - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:43 pm:
==Rauner is not damaged because of the veto==
He’s damaged because he’s been a incompetent at governing. Hence the crappy approval rating
- Boone's is Back - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:46 pm:
I can picture the poor intern now…”But Mr. Speaker everyone posts stuff like this on Facebook! The font is playful and totally hip!”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:47 pm:
For the love of Pete, lol
To that update…
If I were the Raunerite “ILGOP”, I’d be more worried they can’t find anyone to run with Bruce Rauner for Comptroller and Treasurer than waste all those words from the Rauner Word Jumble that sounds eerily like a group concerned Bruce and Diana Rauner will be seen as phonies, when Bruce wears his daily costume and when Diana tells of being a Democrat, but controls the Raunerite Party of Rep. Breen and Sen. Oberweis.
- Arsenal - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:57 pm:
==Rauner is not damaged because of the veto==
He’s on his third CoS since the veto, but sure, “not damaged”.
- We'll See - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:58 pm:
As for that font, when you need a sleek design you work with Go Daddy. When you’re designing for the ultimate GO Daddy you do as you wish.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
Has the deputy governor ruled out another run for Comptroller?
- Jocko - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
To the Facebook post, Jason Gonzales seems to have put on a lot of weight. /s
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:33 pm:
As warm and cuddly as a Maine lobster.
- Truthteller - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
Would have been better if GOP responded with a little Rauner biography , how he rose from mean suburban streets to his home in Winnetka where he clears his neighbors’ pools and tennis courts with his leaf blower and walks his Harley to the Wilmette border lest the sound of its engine revving disturb them
- Iggy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
Aaron can i get 5 dollars for every negative comment I post on the MJM Facebook?
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
Madigan: “Steve, where is the ‘dislike’ button?”
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 2:09 pm:
There is no daylight between JB Pritzker and Speaker Madigan on any issue.
Every other Democratic candidate for Governor can read polls and is trying to distance themselves from the Speaker because he is toxic.
Why is this going to be a slam dunk again for JB why hasn’t anyone released any polls about how he is leading by a mile?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
===There is no daylight between JB Pritzker and Speaker Madigan on any issue.
Every other Democratic candidate for Governor can read polls and is trying to distance themselves from the Speaker because he is toxic.===
lol, “toxic”, Rauner can’t even find a Comptroller or Treasurer to run on his ticket.
When Rauner gets a Comptroller AND Treasurer candidate to run with him, then to get to talk “toxic” and not a second before.
As to Pritzker and Madigan and even Polling…
The Pritzker Crew is very smart, talented, and know what they’re doing. The last person I’d suggest they’d listen to is me, or anything I suggest. They have their own campaign to run, as Kennedy does, as Biss does too.
I’ll leave that there, thanks.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 2:20 pm:
If Rauner can run an ad taking credit for the positives due to the override of his veto, this is fine. Madigan isn’t a state wide candidate. Rauner has to explain why he deserves a second term.
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 2:56 pm:
Can I post on FB on my landline phone from the House?
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
You need a raise OW, even Corey Crawford does not try to block as many shots as you do
- bear3 - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 4:37 pm:
The Man is the Man. Great and do not get in his way as he knows when to move, how to move and when to move. classic Management to his own drum and never off course!
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 4:55 pm:
===You need a raise===
I have “amateur” status, thanks - Lucky Pierre -.
That, and I can’t think of a rational, professional campaign in all of Illinois that would pay for my ridiculousness. You must think low of professionals out there.
My amateur status will remain safe for a very long time.
===…even Corey Crawford does not try to block as many shots as you do===
Even without Cups, I’ve always been a Murray Bannerman fan, to be honest.
Make it about the arguments, bud. Focus.
- One hand //ing - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 5:09 pm:
===Spending rum amok===
You’d think with all that Rauner money ILGOP could afford a proofreader for li’l Aaron’s breathless screeds.
- West Side the Best Side - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 5:54 pm:
Think the Mike Madigan font would be the calligraphy of the Irish Book of Kells.
- Wrigleyville - Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 6:34 pm:
Did they have to print out the site in big text for the speaker to approve it?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Oct 17, 17 @ 8:42 am:
Literally everyone who knows, or knows of MJM is laughing and loving this. It’s like reading a pet sale ad for a T Rex.
But ILGOP doesn’t get it. Instead of recognizing the comedy potential of this, ILGOP goes full-Dork. ILGOP’s response is an embarrassment.
ILGOP exposes themselves as a group of guys who have no humanity, no humor, can’t socialize, and the last people you’d want to have as friends. Anyone who looks at this website and doesn’t get a smile or laugh out of it has a real issue and should be on medication.
Worse, ILGOP exposes themselves as a group of sour losers who have demonized the Speaker to such an extent, they can’t see straight.
Rotten job ILGOP. Time for a nap. You guys are an embarrassment.