* The Tribune writes about more Madigan “#MeToo” fallout…

The harassment issue comes at a time of a surging progressive movement within the Democratic Party that threatens the stability of a party establishment that has ruled for decades. Those battles are playing out across the Democratic primary ballot, including contests for governor, Congress and even Cook County assessor.

There is no better example of the fight between the new-guard progressives and the old-guard, Madigan-led establishment than the speaker’s backyard — the Southwest Side and suburban 3rd Congressional District, home of Madigan’s 13th Ward organization.

On Tuesday, Democratic challenger Marie Newman added her name to the list of those calling for the speaker to give up his party chairmanship. Newman is taking on 13-year Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, who succeeded his father, William, a 22-year congressman.

“It is time for Michael Madigan to resign as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Anything less would put the Democrats’ political prospects at risk in November — and more importantly, would send a signal to all victims that their voices don’t matter, and that the status quo will never be disrupted,” she said.

* Sun-Times…

Lipinski, however, said Madigan has taken responsibility and admitted he must do better: “He appears to have taken a number of steps to ensure that women are better protected in the statehouse and on the campaign trail and that action will be taken against perpetrators,” Lipinski said. “I have confidence that Mike Madigan in his roles as Democratic Party Chairman and Speaker of the House will be a powerful force for change for women.”

* Meanwhile…

Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) showed his face at City Hall Wednesday for the first time since his brother was fired, but refused to answer questions about the sexual harassment scandal swirling around his ward committeeman and powerful political mentor, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

With Curtis Franklin, the City Council’s burly assistant sergeant-at-arms as lead blocker, Quinn blew past reporters on his way into and out of a meeting of the City Council’s License Committee.

Quinn twice said, “good morning, everybody,” but otherwise remained silent and stared straight ahead as reporters asked him to comment about the sexual harassment allegations made against his brother and about the burgeoning scandal surrounding Madigan, the alderman’s political patron.

The alderman spoke during the hearing, but only to explain his proposal to declare yet another precinct of his Southwest Side ward off limits to new listings on Airbnb. Five other precincts are proceeding with the painstaking petition process, the alderman said.

Quinn has been under fire for the go-between role he played in the sex scandal surrounding Madigan’s vaunted and once impenetrable political organization.

* Video…

Alterman Marty Quinn ignores reporters and refuses to answer questions about his brother's firing for harassing a female subordinate in Mike Madigan's political organization @ABC7Chicago pic.twitter.com/MIlBQy9Ky6

— Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) February 21, 2018

Whew.

…Adding… He did the same thing on the way out…

WATCH: It's clear that Alderman Marty Quinn is not interested in addressing the issue of his brother Kevin Quinn's inappropriate texts with a female campaign worker that got him fired from Mike Madigan's political organization in the 13th Ward @ABC7Chicago #twill #politics pic.twitter.com/8mXwKhfuE1

— Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) February 21, 2018

* In other news…

A first-time candidate for state representative in an Illinois House district west of Champaign is calling for an independent investigation of sexual harassment in the Democratic Party in Illinois and for Michael Madigan to step down as head of the state party.

But Jen McMillin of Decatur, the only Democratic candidate in the 101st House District, said she isn’t calling for Madigan to step down as Speaker of the House “at this time.” […]

“I believe that we need to have an independent investigation and while that happens Chairman Madigan should step down only from the Democratic Party of Illinois,” McMillin, 32, said Wednesday. “We need to encourage more people to come to the Democratic Party of Illinois and know that we are open and inclusive. And I’m afraid that during this investigation that openness is called into question if Madigan continues as the chairman.”

She cited the appointment of three top Democratic elected officials — U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos of Moline, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza and state Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana — as leaders of a statewide discussion about the role of women in the party “a wonderful step in the right direction.

Trump won that district by 31 points and Rauner won it by 39. The only statewide Democrat to have won the 101st since 2012 was Secretary White in 2014.

So, basically, McMillin can freely speak her mind because she has nothing to lose and everything to gain.