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Madigan gonna Madigan

Thursday, Jan 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Dude always does well with this stuff. Greg Hinz

Which leads to a story about how, thanks to a hidden earmark within an earmark, Madigan’s home ward, the 13th on the Southwest Side, is receiving a special $10 million appropriation for street resurfacing, new street lights and other improvements—a gift far larger than most and maybe all of the city’s other 49 wards are receiving.

The money was tucked into Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s huge new $45 billion capital program, the one that passed the Legislature last year with Madigan’s help. And though neither state officials nor especially Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration seem thrilled about it, both are going along with the move. […]

The $50 million originally was supposed to be only $40 million, according to an Oct. 10 letter from Acting Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman to then city Transportation Commissioner Tom Carney that an anonymous source passed on to me. But it somehow that total got bumped up to $10 million.

What to do with that $10 million windfall? The letter, which you can see for yourself below, makes it clear: “This correspondence confirms the understanding between IDOT and the city that this additional $10 million dollars of SOCC funds is designated for use in the 22nd Legislative District, located in southwest Chicago.”

Go read the rest.

       

28 Comments
  1. - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 12:58 pm:

    Anyone want to reconsider their choice on yesterday’s QOTD?


  2. - Hippopotamus - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:01 pm:

    And what does Acting Secretary Osman have to say about it?


  3. - Annon3 - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:02 pm:

    Maybe it’s one of many final “gifts” his District.


  4. - road warrior - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:11 pm:

    IDOT’s program has always had political commitments for road work. This just brings it a little closer to home. Follow the money.


  5. - Jocko - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:11 pm:

    Exhibit Z of “How does MJM keep getting re-elected?”


  6. - Shemp - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:13 pm:

    That won’t foment more resentment between Chicago and downstate…. I am sure several her will remember there was a long list of specific projects for the NE corner of Illinois in the bill. Everything from rec centers to town hall improvements. The downstate list was very short, and very unevenly applied (Marengo getting a free new wastewater treatment plant for instance). Everyone else, you’re on your own to fight for the rest.


  7. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:15 pm:

    Here I thought the aldermanic menu program was a nice thing…

    Looking at that $10 million too, wow.


  8. - Under Influenced - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:15 pm:

    Appears as though this Madigan fellow is an effective legislator for his district.


  9. - Steve - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:18 pm:

    When the progressive income tax passes in November, there will much more opportunity for public investments in roads, schools, and pre-K. Public servants like Mike Madigan are just working to achieve what Illinois wants.


  10. - NIU Grad - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:27 pm:

    “And what does Acting Secretary Osman have to say about it?”

    Probably nothing if he ever wants to remove that “Acting” label.


  11. - Dotnonymous - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:28 pm:

    I’m thinking of moving to Mike’s district…as it improves.


  12. - OneMan - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:29 pm:

    == When the progressive income tax passes in November, there will much more opportunity for public investments in roads, schools, and pre-K. Public servants like Mike Madigan are just working to achieve what Illinois wants. ==

    The public is going to be asked. Do you think all that extra money will be distributed equally and fairly or will it go into the districts of powerful individual lawmakers? Stuff like this will make some good mailers.

    Hey, your town got X$ but one ward in Chicago got $10 million. Do you think the fair-tax is going to lead to fair distribution?


  13. - Steve - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:37 pm:

    - OneMan -

    The comeback to that will be “if there was a progressive income tax we would have had a fairer distribution.”


  14. - Cheryl44 - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:57 pm:

    This reminds me of back in the day when I lived in Ravenswood Manor, between Blago and Cullerton. They plowed the alleys when it snowed. Good times.


  15. - JS Mill - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 1:57 pm:

    It isn’t right, but it isn’t right for the e-block and skillicorn to rant and rave about taxes and then stand front and center for ground breakings when money is spent in their district either.


  16. - Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:07 pm:

    “When the progressive income tax passes in November, there will much more opportunity for public investments in roads, … .” Roads are funded via the gas tax, license plate & driver’s license fees, etc. NOT from the income tax.


  17. - Billy Sunday - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:10 pm:

    Good one, NIU Grad!

    Acting Secretary Osman: “I didn’t see anything…back to reviewing the potholes and bridges in southern IL…”


  18. - Phenomynous - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:10 pm:

    -Roads are funded via the gas tax, license plate & driver’s license fees, etc. NOT from the income tax.-

    Agreed, but I’m not sure most people really make that distinction, particularly on this type of spending.


  19. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:13 pm:

    thisisfine.gif


  20. - The Dude Abides - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:16 pm:

    Madigan takes good care of his District and he keeps getting reelected by large margins… go figure.


  21. - Just Another Anon - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:26 pm:

    @ Steve

    That plays right into the blank check playbook.

    “How we do business now, with preferential spending for clouted projects, will change once you give us more money to allocate, we swear!”


  22. - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:33 pm:

    Look at it this way, if Madigan left this alone, CDOT would get $800,000 per ward. But because Madigan is taking care of the 13th, and part of 23, CDOT can spend $820,000 or so in the other 48.5 wards.

    Hinz should be grateful. That extra block that gets paved in each ward might be his.


  23. - Annonin' - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 2:44 pm:

    Seems the $$$ merely makes for damage caused by the 4 years of GovJunk


  24. - Occam - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 3:32 pm:

    It was announced only 3 months ago that JB’s Rebuild Illinois road construction projects were identified “based on the principles of asset management” to “maximize system performance and minimize lifecycle costs.” So will any of the $45 billion be spent in accordance of the “principles of asset management” or will most of it be spent in accordance with the principles of pork?


  25. - zatoichi - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 3:41 pm:

    And how are the Republicans going to run against Madigan in his district?


  26. - RNUG - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 4:08 pm:

    What’s the point of having clout if you don’t use it?

    I’ve lived with various city and State officials and lobbyists (and close relatives of all of those) as neighbors for the past 35 years. Streets and sidewalks got repaired, alleys got paved, snow was plowed, sewers were cleaned out, limbs picked up, police presence was obvious, local fire station saved, etc. What’s not to like about clout?


  27. - Class Act - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 4:47 pm:

    Hintz is a class act. Wish more were like him.


  28. - Independent - Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 8:44 pm:

    RNUG, those in impoverished neighborhoods most likely lack the good fortune you have had of living near powerful politicians. So while you and your neighbors feast on the fantastic city services clout affords they live in relative squalor. Clout benefits the wealthier (and let’s face it, whiter) neighborhoods disproportionately. That is the problem with clout.


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