* From the speaker’s office…
Rich – Statement from Speaker Madigan:
“I understand that the last couple of weeks have been difficult for our caucus and party, and I have had many candid conversations with members of the Democratic caucus on this matter. The feedback is positive and demonstrates continued support for me and my leadership roles. I have no plans to resign. I have never made a legislative decision with improper motives and any claim otherwise is unfounded. I will continue to lead the effort to defeat Donald Trump, expand the Illinois congressional delegation and the majorities in the Illinois House and Senate.”
Thanks.
Eileen
Perhaps the most unsurprising MJM statement ever.
- JM - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:26 pm:
Y’all clocking the Ohio statehouse?
- PublicServant - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:26 pm:
I take him at his word. Why shouldn’t we all?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:48 pm:
=== Perhaps the most unsurprising MJM statement ever.===
The sun will rise in the east tomorrow, that will be more surprising
- CubsFan16 - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:50 pm:
I remember a poll on here a few weeks ago asking if Madigan “should” resign. I voted no and stand by it, why should he resign at this point? I continue to believe unless indicted or voted out as Speaker he will stay in as long as he wants. Any other speculation is just short-term noise or wishful thinking.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:52 pm:
It’s an up day.
- SSL - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:00 pm:
You can’t blame him. If he resigns the whole thing falls apart. They’ll either drag him out or carry him out.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:05 pm:
Are these the same secret, silent Democratic supporters that Bruce Rauner had?
Or is this somehow completely different?
– MrJM
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:07 pm:
If he did resign, we’d be lucky if the House descended into only a three ring circus and sme members would find out that the Speaker’s caucus is a party of one.
- Rutro - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:15 pm:
I think madigan made a mistake by saying he has received positive feedback. My state rep. will be getting a call tomorrow to let them know how I feel about any positive feedback from our district.
- Cadillac - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:20 pm:
Well, there ya have it.
Unbelievable.
- HighSox - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:22 pm:
Pretty small sample size MJM when you claim ‘feedback positive’ when you call 4 of your allies requesting feedback.
- radio flyer - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:26 pm:
What a gift to the GOP. And to the business community that prays that the ballot initiative fails. What a nightmare for JB.
- Southern Skeptic - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:27 pm:
Two words. Wishful. Thinking. He needs to keep his leverage until the next shoe, ahem McClain indictment, drops.
- Cadillac - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:35 pm:
=== - Southern Skeptic - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:27 pm:
Two words. Wishful. Thinking. He needs to keep his leverage until the next shoe, ahem McClain indictment, drops. ===
and - Southern Skeptic - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:27 pm:
Two words. Wishful. Thinking. He needs to keep his leverage until the next shoe, ahem McClain indictment, drops.
- Southern Skeptic - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:27 pm:
Two words. Wishful. Thinking. He needs to keep his leverage until the next shoe, ahem McClain indictment, drops. ===
Also, is Anne Pramaggiore available for inquiry?
- Cadillac - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:35 pm:
What the hell happened above? Sorry.
- ILPundit - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:36 pm:
This is his second public statement on the matter, and he still hasn’t condemned the illegal activity that ComEd has admitted to before the court.
That speaks volumes, IMHO
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:39 pm:
Did he call more than just 13th Ward/22nd Rep. Dist. residents today to check for “positive feedback?” Or did he go statewide in his calls?
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:41 pm:
Did he also promise to add on–or take away–some of his “allies’” capital bill “goodies” depending on their response to his calls?
- Frumpy white guy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:43 pm:
I don’t doubt that the vast majority of the Democrats in his caucus will not call for his resignation. When the indictment comes and come it will then he is through.
- twowaystreet - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:48 pm:
“Oh, me? I’m doing well all things considered, just trying to figure out how to divide up the 500K I received in the last few days… And by the way… how do you think I am doing as Speaker?” - Speaker Madigan
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:53 pm:
AP story from Decatur Hearld-Review (also posted on the other Lee Enterprises papers):
https://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/madigan-no-plans-to-resign-as-dem-women-seek-his-ouster/article_188e9076-a8ef-5341-a861-797b2bde5e87.html#tracking-source=home-breaking
Speaking of Decatur, any word from Rep. Scherer on where she stands on whether Madigan should stay as speaker, or go?
- zatoichi - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 10:01 pm:
This is turning into a pro wrestling spot. Accusations and predictable story lines. Styling, Profiling, and OH Yeah. Now bring that camera in close……
- Boomerang - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 10:04 pm:
If there’s one thing the Speaker knows how to do is count votes. Do not doubt that he knows how many votes he can count on for re-election as Speaker. He’s fine as long as there’s no actual indictment before February 2021.
- twowaystreet - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 10:10 pm:
===If there’s one thing the Speaker knows how to do is count votes.===
The most accurate take on the Madigan/ComEd saga.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 10:28 pm:
=== And to the business community that prays that the ballot initiative fails. What a nightmare for JB.===
That’s what the $50 million is for…
- Arock - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 10:56 pm:
When corruption is so imbedded in an organization for this long it becomes the norm and how can they see the new norm as being wrong? It is sad that the Illinois Democrats have so few that will call him out for what he is and that is a corrupt man with too much power and evidently an ago to match.
- Birds on the Bat - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 11:11 pm:
Speaking of Decatur, any word from Rep. Scherer on where she stands on whether Madigan should stay as speaker, or go?
She won’t turn on him. She’s as spineless as they come. If she’s not the most incompetent member of the House, I don’t know who is.
- MSIX - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 11:21 pm:
Without passing judgment on his current issues, I have to admire that level of drive to stay in the game at his age. I’m almost 20 years younger and already dreaming of retirement. Maybe I need to start eating apples.
- MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 11:29 pm:
-She won’t turn on him. She’s as spineless as they come. If she’s not the most incompetent member of the House, I don’t know who is.-
Wow…the Eastern Block always wins the incompetency awards. I know facts are challenging for some this late at night, so I’d stick with daytime commentary.
- Downstate - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:01 am:
So essentially, he pulled out his binder full of dirt on his members and made just enough calls to make sure he keeps the vote threshold to keep his Speakership. We all know the feds have nothing on him. If they did he’d be in custody by now.
- SAP - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:26 am:
The Emporer may want to talk to his tailor
- DownstateR - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 6:42 am:
“I’ll say this for him: he’s consistent” –James T. Kirk.
- Pundent - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 6:57 am:
=We all know the feds have nothing on him . If they did he’d be in custody by now.=
Maybe or maybe not. Blagojevich governed under the shadow of being “Public Official A” for some time and was at least able to claim plausible deniability that it was him. In this case Madigan has been named. So supporting him at this point is a big leap of faith that an indictment won’t be forthcoming. Sounds like a lot of reps may want to steer clear of microphones right now.
- Leave a Light On George - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 7:52 am:
=Maybe or maybe not. Blagojevich governed under the shadow of being “Public Official A” for some time and was at least able to claim plausible deniability that it was him.=
What everyone forgets is that Blago was arrested when it was leaked that his his phones and campaign office was bugged by the feds. Their hand was forced and they had to act or else he really would have sold the senate seat among his many other crimes.
- Leave a Light On George - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 8:00 am:
While I’m at it, probably MJM biggest “crime” - staying silent on Public Official A and thus the reelection of Blago. Imagine if “Himself” had called for the Blago to step down or worked for another candidate where Illinois would be.
- Touré's Latte - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 8:13 am:
Madigan will be done when he decides he’s done. Not a second earlier.
Always ahead of everyone.
- low level - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:15 am:
The Democratic caucus needs to meet and decide. Of course they wont. This will haunt every Democratic target, especially if the Trump DOJ keeps dropping stories.
- Druid Eye - Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 2:03 pm:
I live in the Speaker’s 22nd District. They just love him here. Just this morning my neighbor yelled out to me….hope Mike is going to be ok. This is not a surprise. He’s beloved over here. If no indictment….he sees a path as Speaker for the new General Assembly in Jan.