Today, in an interview with WBEZ reporter Dave McKinney, State Representative Jeanne Ives, the conservative reform Republican candidate for Governor, called for Speaker Madigan to step down. Her call comes in response to a sexual harassment scandal in the Speaker’s office, centered on Kevin Quinn, a top political operative of Madigan’s.
In January, Ives stood with Springfield whistleblower, Denise Rotheimer, to call on leaders in both parties to end their bipartisan protection racket and take complaints of sexual harassment seriously.
At that time, Ives called for the release (with accuser’s names redacted) of the complaints against legislators that went uninvestigated because of the three-year absence of a Legislative Inspector General.
Rotheimer’s testimony illustrated the bipartisan perpetuation of the culture of sexual harassment in Springfield noting that she had implored both Senate President John Cullerton and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin to take up her cause but neither did. Both brushed off her complaints, according to Rotheimer.
Then 300 women signed an open #MeToo letter about the culture of sexual harassment in Springfield.
Names were not named but specific examples of unethical behavior and, in some cases, illegal conduct were provided.
“Misogyny is alive and well in this industry,” read the letter in reference to Illinois politics.
“And it’s alive and well because of what clearly has been the neglect by leadership of both political parties in Springfield and aided by the obliviousness of Governor Rauner,” said Ives.
“Now another young woman – one who has been working in the Speaker’s office – comes forward to tell her story with evidence.
“The office of House Speaker is a powerful position that carries with it a great deal of responsibility. It is because of Speaker Madigan’s failure to carry out the responsibility of his leadership position that we’re at this point. He failed to do his job and ensure that a Legislative Inspector General was in place and that complaints were handled in a timely manner.
“Because of his failure, numerous women have been hurt – professionally and otherwise. He should step down from his position as House Speaker just as Senator Ira Silverstein was removed from his leadership position in the Senate and ultimately found to have violated state ethics laws.
“The lack of accountability in state government is stunning and unacceptable.
“We should have a system that checks the abuses of those in power. Under Speaker Madigan, however, we have a system where those in power abuse and protect each other from accountability. Enough.
“This is part of the culture of corruption in Illinois. Governor Rauner, who promised that he would clean up that culture by standing up to Speaker Madigan, now tells us he’s not in charge. Fine, Governor, then step aside and I’ll lead that charge.”
You probably won’t be surprised to learn that Madigan told reporters today he has no intention of stepping down.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:38 pm:
No. Based on what I’ve read so far, Madigan acted reasonably.
Now if it was to come to light that he knew about it a year ago, that would be a different story.
- MOON - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:39 pm:
I agree with RNUG’S comment.
- TKMH - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:44 pm:
Madigan is the Roy Cohn of Illinois, but no. This isolated scandal isn’t enough to warrant a resignation.
- m - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:46 pm:
Yes.
It appears that a victim got locked out of campaign work for coming forward. If that is how your apparatus (that you built) works, it’s time to go.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:47 pm:
Agree with RNUG. (or maybe not)
Madigan assigned Vaughn to handle it and she messed it up by treating Ms. Hampton with little (if any) respect. It was pretty obvious at her press conference that all Ms. Hampton wanted was some respect: an acknowledgement that she had been treated poorly and readmission to the “club.” She got neither.
As I spell out my thoughts, I have to wonder, does the buck stop at Vaughn or Madigan…
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:47 pm:
Any official should be judged not so much by what happened with their underlings and associates, but how they handled it when it was brought to their attention. I agree that Madigan has a share of responsibility in not filling the LIG office in a timely manner. And also agree with RNUG’s comments that the nexus of evidence to implement Madigan in wrongdoing in the Kevin Quinn case is not there yet, and let’s see what develops. So a qualified no.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
No. What RNUG said.
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
If anyone should resign it’s the lawyers/inspectors/IA folks who seem to act as though the victims are beside the point.
But no — Madigan should stay put.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:50 pm:
I voted yes because of what appears to be retaliation against her by Madigan’s political operation. Ms Hampton spoke to the Trib on Sunday, MJM makes the announcement Monday. If they were really going to time it to make it pass the smell test, they would have released the day he left the office/on Friday to news dump.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:51 pm:
This raises extremely serious questions about what the Speaker knew. Given the rank of the person involved, it seems difficult to think he was not aware of it.
I think Madigan needs to go.
- Because I said so.... - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:53 pm:
RNUG hit it on the head. Unless holes get poked in the Speakers timeline of when he was made aware, this does not warrant his resignation.
- Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:54 pm:
The person who should have been fired was. Unless Madigan laughed in her face or similar when he was finally told about it. But it seems to me that was not the case. We don’t fire everyone because one employee messed up. We fire the person who did the offense. We often just reprimand them rather than fire them.
This is actually one of the few areas I agree with Donald. We need to investigate and prove things rather than fire first and then investigate.
- Anon 21 - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:55 pm:
This isn’t a defense of Madigan nor is it a particularly good reason outside of politics but until Republicans accused of sexual assault like the president (I accept this will never happen) or Pat Meehan resign, though in fairness some have, no one else should have to. Regardless I’d certainly be happy if Madigan resigned or otherwise was no longer the speaker of the house.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 3:56 pm:
No, not over this. Madigan could resign because he’s in his 70s and has the record for longest-tenure-as-Speaker. Because he’s served with distinction for more than 40 years, because he has grandchildren that he’d like to spend time with. He has a lot of reasons to resign, especially that protecting Democratic interest groups for so long and so well is so thankless.
But he shouldn’t resign over this. At least based on what we know now. If that changes, I’ll reconsider my answer. This mishandled episode, however, tarnishes a good legacy and will forever be a stain on his reputation. This incident reveals a blind spot that we never knew Madigan had. That’s a sign that maybe he ought to consider an exit strategy, or a transition, or something.
Did anyone think Lisa would retire from politics before her dad? I didn’t see that one coming.
- Terry Salad - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:00 pm:
I voted no, but then I read Greg Hinz, who reports that other women complaining about other Madigan operatives who may go public. Now, that would be a game-changer.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:02 pm:
So the woman who fully supports Donald Trump thinks Madigan should resign because one of his employees engaged in alleged sexual harassment, and, three months later, was fired for it?
Let’s call it what it is - her attempt to use Madigan’s name to get more publicity. She doesn’t care about sexual harassment and assault victims, and likely doesn’t even really care about women.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:03 pm:
I have wanted him to resign before this so this latest development doesn’t change that.
For all those saying MJM handled this as well as he could, do you know for sure there aren’t any other Kevin Quinns lurking in his organization? Or that there haven’t ever been any other Kevin Quinn types protected by Madigan underlings and pushing talented women out of party work by their creepy conduct?
if someone wants to promise me kevin quinn is the only bad apple there is or was I am happy to hear that
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:05 pm:
It’s too early to ask him to step down. There may be more information coming out soon regarding his complicity, or lack of.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:13 pm:
No resignation based on current evidence. Will watch for more developments.
Will the Democratic Women’s Caucus continue to support Madigan for Speaker?
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:16 pm:
Rich, asking the question immediately after posting a Jeanne Ives press release seems like a disingenuous way of framing the question. At least Ives had the balls to come out and say something about it. Where’s the commentary from Democratic women? Not suggesting they have to make any kind of partisan point, but it would be nice if they could offer words of support or encouragement to the young women here. Their silence speaks to the fact that they are either a) awaiting talking points or b) too afraid to chime in on an issue that could have damaging implications for their Glorious Leader.
As to the poll - maybe.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:18 pm:
“No” with respect to a fast knee jerk resignation purely to this weekend’s drama. Buuuut– In the presser Hampton said there were others she knew about but she would not name names. She said it was up to them to decide what to do/come forward. There was enough material for Kerry to write a book on this stuff. If Madigan already knows there is more to come out, then for his own reputation and for the party’s sake he should go. For all its problems the Silverstein case was the “heads up” warning to everybody. If, as it appears, MM ignored that message it is his mistake and his own misinterpretation of how the world is now–no one else’s.
- Terry Salad - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:20 pm:
I would also like to see where Ives has called on Trump to resign.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:24 pm:
Do I have the facts right?
Madigan learned about this from a letter in November. He gave it to an aide to handle. There was an ongoing investigation. And he decided to fire the aid last week.
Is that correct?
- Downstate - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:25 pm:
Sorry - prior post. I realize there was an aide doing the investigation. And then the aide that was accused and fired. Not the same aide. Sorry.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:29 pm:
i voted yes. there are a number of reasons that the speaker should resign. this is merely the straw that broke the camels back. he is a relic of the past and he is too powerful. its time for him to go.
- ozzy - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:32 pm:
The Republicans dream to have him resign. But he wasn’t the harasser. And it is reasonable to believe that he passed the information to be processed by one of his underlings. There has to be a process when terminating someone with a long work history.
- Matt Vernau - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:33 pm:
Voted no. Ives is just after publicity. The problem exists for both parties so until such accusations both become rare and rarely prove true resignation is overkill.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:33 pm:
this is rauner. he has been saying that madigan would be gone, but he would not elaborate. he knew about the trip story before it went to print. he knew what was heading medians way. rauner is pals with the trip. this is an absolute collaborative hit job.
- Steve - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:34 pm:
I voted no. I don’t believe Madigan knew or would allow this behavior if he had known…
- 19tb wars guy - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:43 pm:
This whole thing is a product of staying too long. You don’t realize the rules of the game have changed and your antenna doesn’t pick up a red hot, potentially fatal politically issue when it should. Sure, ignore her and offer up a job at Streets and San. We’ve been doing it that way for years. Seen it happen many, many times
- 19th ward guy - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:50 pm:
And btw—-this is an MJM scandal. Not to many headlines win Quinn’s name
- Baloneymous - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:53 pm:
No. But if Madigan doesn’t retire soon I fear he is headed for a Joe Paterno-ish moment. this isn’t it unless this isn’t the whole story.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:56 pm:
No. RNUG’s response says it all. Bids, Kennedy, and Ives are just using the story for campaign fodder.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 4:58 pm:
After watching the video, was Madigan contacted by Hampton in his role as head of the party, or as Speaker of the House? Seems like he failed a worker for the party, and should therefore step down as head of the party.
Certainly don’t agree with his statement in the press conference that the hiring of his personal attorney suffices for an “independent investigation”.
- 19th ward guy - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:00 pm:
I was going to say Woody Hayes
- Swift - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:01 pm:
No with a big caveat, Madigan should turn over records to the Legislative IG for an investigation of the convenient completion of Vaught’s investigation and the timing of the Tribune story. While I appreciate a good coincidence, I can’t help but think without the story there wouldn’t have been a firing.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:04 pm:
No. But I don’t agree with RNUG’s assessment that Madigan acted so reasonably - (1) Madigan sent his own lawyer to meet with the accuser rather than sending someone independent and (2) after 3 months, he finally acted right as the Trib was reporting on the harassment.
Given the text messages, the investigation doesn’t seem like it should have been all that difficult to conduct more quickly.
But let’s see if there is a pattern of behavior / ignoring other complaints before demanding he resign over this one.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:11 pm:
No, he got the details and then fired the guy.
Going forward, perhaps they can give workers a training that is included with their campaign contracts, so that they have a process of what to do if this or something similar happens.
- Who else - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:25 pm:
It’s the cover-up that gets you. The timing of the Speakers’ damage control yesterday is suspect.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:25 pm:
Based on the story so far, no. I do wonder if Kevin would have been fired if the Tribune wasn’t sniffing around though. At some point in time Madigan would lose credibility that there was an ongoing investigation. Don’t know when that would be, but I don’t think 3 months is a smoking gun.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:25 pm:
If he lied about when he knew, then yes. His org. Is tight, something like this, tough to keep from the boss?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:34 pm:
Too soon. Let’s see if his story holds up.
- Pritzker's Toilet - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:34 pm:
Madigan is in charge - and theres too many underlings who have been caught acting unethically/illegally. This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Where there is smoke - theres fire.
I think theres a lot of insider type things happening here:
Madigan hired an ‘independent’ lawyer who was also someone that previously worked for him
It took 3 months, and a pending tribune story
His brother is still employed - even though he didn’t take proper action. Nor does it show that he was counseled on how to take proper action.
He cant claim ignorance while simultaneously saying that Rauner can’t claim ignorance.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:43 pm:
Ha-ha-ha-ha. No.
Based on everything we have learned so far, Marty Quinn, Heather Weir-Vaught, and Speaker Madigan acted appropriately.
Kevin Quinn’s behavior was inappropriate, and he has been held accountable for it.
There’s been zero evidence of any malfeasance in the Speaker’s part. We should take the Speaker at his word that he believes Alaina to be “courageous,” a word I don’t think I have ever heard him use to describe anyone else.
Alaina should have been declaring victory today: Kevin is gone, and she is being hailed as a hero. Why she held that press conference, I don’t understand.
- Losing My Edge - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:56 pm:
I voted no based on what is known today. I guess we’ll see if that sticks.
- Dublin - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 5:57 pm:
No. If you voted yes, then you should also be calling for Trump’s resignation.
- LakeviewJ - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 6:10 pm:
It’s been clear for a long time that loyalty to Madigan and “the program” were prized above ability and skill. That applies for members of the House Democratic caucus, HDem state and political staff, and lobbyists. I’ll acknowledge that there’s some sour grapes that color my view, but I still think it’s true.
A member of the Madigan organization actively suppressed serious consequences for sexual harassment. The stated feelings of the victim notwithstanding, the Speaker should have been told and Kevin Quinn should have been fired a year ago.
That he was not is evidence of a severe rot in the core of the organization and the Speaker should bring his career to an end.
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 6:16 pm:
It is not possible to engage in a cover-up if you have no knowledge of the event. When Madigan was informed, he acted in an appropriate manner. When the evidence of wrong doing was brought to him, he fired the guy. What could he have done differently? Had he fired the individual quickly, some would have cried that he had not given the individual the right to defend himself. I think Madigan acted the way that was needed. I am not a fan of the Speaker, but he got this one right.
- Nogifts - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 6:25 pm:
No. Mike madigan didn’t send the communications and the voters can decide if he should keep his job.
- Al - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 6:35 pm:
Women should understand the General assembly is run by pro liquor and pro casino legislators in both parties. Ladies are unwelcome under the dome. Whiskey drinking mattress hoppers who love old fat bald married men are loved and welcome.
You really think legislators who carry water for the liquor and casino industry respect women? They short our schools for the benefit of out of state casino license holders; what a sad joke.
- Cleric dcn - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 6:38 pm:
He did what he could and knew. The media could have anyone resigning a job based on hearsay evidence.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 6:44 pm:
–Women should understand the General assembly is run by pro liquor and pro casino legislators in both parties… You really think legislators who carry water for the liquor and casino industry respect women?–
On this issue and the JTC shooting, there’s some real nasty appropriation going on.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 6:59 pm:
Go with Rauner hates Trump…GovJunk done
- Dome Gnome - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 7:03 pm:
No, but I wish he’d retire for other reasons.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 7:11 pm:
tomorrow’s question of the day should be: name Speaker Madigan’s female successor. its the only thing that people should be thinking about right now.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 7:27 pm:
No, I don’t think he should resign. What I do think he should do is allow the LIG to run a real independent investigation, along with making crystal clear the links between himself, with $$ quantified, and “special counsels”/advisors like Wier-Vaught and Brown. He should also hold pressers unrelated to State business on private property, for all you zealots who wanted to crucify Rauner for having an after-hours private business meeting on the back porch at the Mansion.
- Sense of a Goose - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 7:58 pm:
No. As RNUG said, seems like reasonable action taken in a reasonable amount of time. You get information, decide who will investigate, allow that to take place, allow for the holidays which delays a little, review the findings, and act.
Meanwhile, why don’t people take no for an answer?
- Angel's Sword - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 8:08 pm:
I voted no because right now I don’t have a reason to doubt Madigan’s account, and according to his account his actions were reasonable.
hisgirlfriday,
I’m sure there are more Kevin Quinns lurking out there in many political organizations, possibly including Magigan’s.
This is a general problem in society, it’s not contained to Madigan’s organization, and I don’t really think Madigan can single-handedly prevent these incidents from occurring, even inside his own organization. Yes, at some level he’s responsible for who gets hired but it’s not easy to identify sexual creeps. It’s not something that comes out during the interview process. If he wasn’t aware, what could he do? Once he found out I think he acted appropriately and I’m not sure what else could be done by him.
- McLincoln - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 8:20 pm:
No. Not until Rauner moves to Montana.
- buffalo soldier - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 9:06 pm:
I’ve changed my mind. Maybe he shouldn’t resign, but he should answer for this AND for his inability to appoint a new LIG after Tom Homer. What he’s said so far is insufficient. Until he says more, more pressure should be put on him.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 9:15 pm:
Madigan will not retire until people (esp. his political rivals) quit saying he should. No way does he let Rauners, Ives, Drury, etc win.
- Stir - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 9:32 pm:
Voted no, from the information I’ve seen on the news and read so far. This was completely by text messages, and unless I see something else in the coming days, she should have just blocked his number and moved on.
- Ross Brown - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 9:34 pm:
No. He handled it appropriately, asking for it to be investigated privately and then terminating Mr. Quinn as a result. End of story.
- illinois manufacturer - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 11:06 pm:
Voted yes and yes Trump shoukd go too.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 11:31 pm:
>When the evidence of wrong doing was brought to him, he fired the guy.
Yes. The problem being that wrong-doing is defined in his mind as “bringing bad publicity” and the evidence was the rumor of her press conference.
- /s - Tuesday, Feb 13, 18 @ 11:41 pm:
If Madigan retires, who will be my foil?
- Bruce
- Stand Tall - Wednesday, Feb 14, 18 @ 7:30 am:
“Then 300 women signed an open #MeToo letter about the culture of sexual harassment in Springfield.” - Madigan has sat idly by and let these actions go on for years under his leadership. Failed to fill the leadership position for the office that investigates these matters. Yes he needs to lose his leadership position.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Feb 14, 18 @ 8:11 am:
Based on what we know today I would say no. I would also say that exploiting situations for pure political gain undermines efforts to address the problem. It could be that Ives is right and we’ll learn that Madigan had information sooner and didn’t act on it. But if that’s not the case than this is simply a situation where she used someone else’s tragedy to score political points. In the long run that’s a much bigger set-back for these types of issues.
- Anon - Wednesday, Feb 14, 18 @ 9:17 am:
I voted yes, but ultimately it will be up to the Dems to decide what happens. Will they stand by their man or do what is right? From the information made public, it’s clear that this was mishandled and that “best practices” in handling these types of harassment claims were not followed. Madigan did what Madigan does - protect his political allies. In this case, he put that above addressing a serious problem in his shop.
- anono - Wednesday, Feb 14, 18 @ 9:25 am:
Hmm….
Why isn’t Jeanne Ives calling on Pres. Trump to resign given that not only he but high-ranking members of his staff have been involved in sexual harassment and even sexual abuse?