Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » MJM calling around to his members
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
MJM calling around to his members

Thursday, Jul 30, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Subscribers know more…


…Adding… NBC 5

Four Democratic Illinois lawmakers told NBC 5 Thursday that House Speaker Michael Madigan contacted them individually to ask if he should step down, as calls for him to resign continue to grow after he was implicated in a federal court filing alleging a bribery scheme with ComEd that lasted nearly a decade.

One of the legislators said Madigan called at around 9 a.m. Thursday. Another lawmaker who Madigan consulted said they told him he should not resign - saying that Democrats needed to focus on defeating President Donald Trump in November, and that a vacancy in party leadership less than 100 days before the election would harm that effort.

NBC 5 is not identifying the lawmakers, who requested anonymity to openly discuss the ongoing developments. A spokesman for Madigan did not immediately respond to request for comment.

…Adding… I told subscribers about this earlier

The sources, two members of Madigan’s 73-member House majority, said the 78-year-old speaker was asking members of his caucus if they agreed with two Democrats, state Reps. Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn and Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego, who have asked Madigan to step down from his governmental post. Howard also said Madigan should resign as state Democratic chair.

       

64 Comments
  1. - pool boy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:23 pm:

    I am anxiously awaiting my call.


  2. - Marquee - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:24 pm:

    Chairman Burke was easily replaceable. So is Speaker Madigan


  3. - Frank talks - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:26 pm:

    Well this is going to be an interesting afternoon.


  4. - ILPundit - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:28 pm:

    $10 bucks says he’s using a burner phone


  5. - Powdered Whig - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:29 pm:

    === Chairman Burke was easily replaceable. So is Speaker Madigan ===

    Time will tell.


  6. - Keyrock - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:29 pm:

    The time has come,’ the Walrus said,
    To talk of many things:
    Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —
    Of apples — and kings —


  7. - Nagidam - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:30 pm:

    Boy is he old school. Put them on the hot seat before they get any farther down the path to revolt. There will be a few legislators that all the sudden lost their phone or went on vacation once they hear of this.


  8. - Nieva - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:31 pm:

    What was the over and under on him resigning?


  9. - Pundent - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:32 pm:

    The standard bearer for the Republican party right now is Darren Bailey and there’s no sign of that changing anytime soon. I think the Dems will be just fine without MJM.


  10. - Norseman - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:34 pm:

    Everyone’s answer should be, “it’s time Mike.”

    Even if he decides to quit, it won’t happen until after the election.


  11. - Nagidam - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:34 pm:

    Can we get Rivers to add this to their sports book? action on date of resignation, number of members, will he or won’t he resign, Who the new Speaker will be. The money that could be made.


  12. - Captain Obvious - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:35 pm:

    Whoever took the over on August 15 yesterday is on shaky ground today. Still a long way to go, though, and a lot of campaign cash in play controlled by sharp, ruthless politician. The gentlemen in the GA are going have to summon a good bit more intestinal fortitude than has been displayed thus far. Time to man up.


  13. - Nagidam - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:37 pm:

    Hello Mr. Speaker…Lee Daniels here.


  14. - twowaystreet - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:37 pm:

    ===Even if he decides to quit, it won’t happen until after the election.===

    What would be the upside of this? The party has more to gain for him leaving now. What do they gain from him resigning after the election?


  15. - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:38 pm:

    Dialing for dollars in reverse

    For those that understand Latin quid pro quo


  16. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:40 pm:

    Now’s the time, “The 73”.

    Don’t say you never had a say.

    This is it.


  17. - Downstate - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:42 pm:

    “What do they gain from him resigning after the election?”

    Would they avoid a messy leadership fight right before the election?


  18. - SIU - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:43 pm:

    He should call Willy …..obviously not a House Member….but the adulation will make him feel better for awhile.


  19. - OneMan - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:43 pm:

    Why do I suspect most of these calls at some point involve the phrase ‘I would like to remind you…’
    Also I see someone handing him a plain manilla folder before each call.


  20. - 618er - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:45 pm:

    This. This has meaning. When they, in both chambers and his own party, come out publicly and say he needs to step down for the good of the chamber or the party would also publicly state, when asking him to step aside, that they will not vote for him as Speaker or Party Chair he might start to understand where he stands. It would also show voters that members stand.


  21. - Chatham Resident - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:45 pm:

    ==Can we get Rivers to add this to their sports book? action on date of resignation, number of members, will he or won’t he resign, Who the new Speaker will be. The money that could be made.==

    Could Revenue turn this idea into a new Lottery game? Anything to allow the State to keep the funds to reduce the deficit.


  22. - Chatham Resident - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:47 pm:

    Are the Saputo’s owner and employees among those receiving the calls?


  23. - 1st Ward - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:47 pm:

    “Would they avoid a messy leadership fight right before the election?”

    There won’t be a public leadership fight i.e. changing speaker before the election. This would require going to Springfield and voting. They aren’t returning until next year.


  24. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:48 pm:

    ===… but the adulation will make him feel better for awhile.===

    I’m a pretty “glass half-full” kinda guy. Get me Waffle House, Golf, the Cubs, and a Carolina beach. That’ll help.

    :)

    He’s never heard of me. These thoughts of my “status“ are greatly exaggerated.

    To the post,

    I do wonder how this is being measured… is it “until we get 15 recorded no members, I’m good?”


  25. - Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:55 pm:

    Madigan is nearly 80 years old and should just retire. What’s it worth anymore? Go out on top, on the winds of your party’s electoral and policy accomplishments of 2019. Hubris. Hubris can be lethal or damaging to the long-unscathed, who stay in the game for one play too long.


  26. - Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:55 pm:

    Calling in favor for the clock

    “Capitol Fax reported this morning that Mike Madigan showered his legislative enablers this week with engraved crystal clocks”


  27. - twowaystreet - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:03 pm:

    I am going to guess there are members saying go out on your on accord or more public statements are coming. That number that causes Madigan to step-down will be for him to determine.


  28. - Jose Abreu's Next Homer - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:06 pm:

    That’s a lot of dialing on a rotary phone.


  29. - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:08 pm:

    Yeah, just tell your largest benefactor and the person that can make or break you directly that you don’t support him anymore. No pressure.


  30. - Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:11 pm:

    Crystal clocks or crystal glocks?


  31. - Downstate - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:11 pm:

    “And you get a leadership position. And you get a leadership position. Everyone get’s a leadership position (exclamation point).”


  32. - Vote Quimby - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:14 pm:

    “Who? I thought he didn’t use the phone…send him through please.”
    “Hello, Speaker, Rep. (?) here.”
    “Yes, I do remember that (project) you helped me with.”
    “Why of course I would like to continue our partnership.”
    “Mm-hmmm. Yes, I can see how that is a challenge for you.”
    “You have guided this state flawlessly for decades, sir.”
    “My polls are showing it is hurting my chances. It certainly resonates with my constituents.”
    “With all due respect, sir, the times they are a-changin’.”
    “No, certainly not like when Mayor Daley was around.”
    “Thank you for soliciting my input, Speaker. I am sending you my thoughts and prayers. Goodbye.”
    (Whew)


  33. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:17 pm:

    ===No pressure. ===

    Ha [banned punctuation]


  34. - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:17 pm:

    Going out on top would have been a year and half ago

    He is hardly on top now


  35. - the Patriot - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:18 pm:

    “I been telling you your whole life don’t talk on the F&#$ing phone, Right? Now you understand?


  36. - Amalia - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:25 pm:

    be sure to have a hand warmer when answering his call. the ice will come right through the phone.


  37. - Downstate - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:28 pm:

    An interesting response to MJM would be: “But Mr.Speaker, I’m concerned that the noise around ComEd and your speakership will doom the chance for the fair tax amendment.”


  38. - SAP - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:34 pm:

    I can’t shake the image of the Speaker doing a Jerry McGuire.


  39. - Pundent - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:37 pm:

    They say that when you aim to take out the boss you better not miss. This is certainly one of those times and Madigan is no ordinary boss.


  40. - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:59 pm:

    His roll call tally sheet will have pluses, minuses and voice mails.


  41. - West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:00 pm:

    I’ve used this quote before from a debate in the Irish Dail in the 1920’s: “Glasnevin [Cemetary] is full of indispensable men”


  42. - City Zen - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:11 pm:

    Hello and welcome to Speaker Phone, brought to you by LiUNA and Hot Local 150.

    If you know the name of the legislator you’d like to resign, press one.

    Using your touch-tone keypad, please enter the first three letters of the legislator now.

    You’ve selected, Michael T. Marron? If this is correct, press one.

    Why don’t you just tell me if I should resign?


  43. - Birds on the Bat - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:12 pm:

    Note to house dems. When he calls, he’s probably not the only one on the line.


  44. - natty lite - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:13 pm:

    How much campaign $$$ does he personally control because he’s Speaker vs how much as head of the party vs his “personal” campaign fund? Seems like that matters a lot given his coming increase in personal expenses. If I were running, I’d wonder what he can do for me lately, especially if he’s facing ongoing multi-million dollar legal expenses.


  45. - Huh? - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:15 pm:

    “Glasnevin [Cemetary] is full of indispensable men”

    So is the unemployment line.


  46. - radio flyer - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:16 pm:

    And they say Madigan doesn’t use a phone…


  47. - JS Mill - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:17 pm:

    =Madigan is nearly 80 years old and should just retire. What’s it worth anymore?=

    He won’t go on his own. If he does he cannot control what will come out of the closet. I suspect that the skeletons we do not know about are far worse than the ones we know about.


  48. - SAP - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:17 pm:

    Natty: Here is a fishing pole: https://www.elections.il.gov/


  49. - Jose Abreu's Next Homer - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:25 pm:

    @City Zen, bravo, bravo


  50. - @misterjayem - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:26 pm:

    “He won’t go on his own. If he does he cannot control what will come out of the closet. I suspect that the skeletons we do not know about are far worse than the ones we know about.”

    I once said something very similar about Richie Daley.

    Guess we’ll see.

    – MrJM


  51. - Huh? - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:43 pm:

    If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. Have two relatively new leaders will make for a rambunctious mob of senators and representatives.


  52. - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:59 pm:

    -Have two relatively new leaders will make for a rambunctious mob of senators and representatives.-

    After what we have had for decades, and where we are, that might be a version of what the late Rep. Lewis would call “good trouble.”


  53. - Downstate - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:59 pm:

    “If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. ”

    I know you didn’t mean it this way, but as I read those words, the term “stockholm syndrome” came to mind.


  54. - Powdered Whig - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 4:26 pm:

    === After what we have had for decades, and where we are, that might be a version of what the late Rep. Lewis would call “good trouble.” ===

    Be careful for what you wish for…


  55. - ZC - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 4:43 pm:

    What comes next?

    You’ve been freed

    Do you know how hard it is to lead?


  56. - RNUG - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:24 pm:

    Tick … tick … tick …


  57. - DuPage Dave - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:53 pm:

    The Illinois Democrats don’t need Madigan to hang on to the House and Senate this year. His usefulness is over. It would be best for everyone for him to resign everything now rather than later.

    It’s difficult to imagine the legislature without him around, but other leaders will emerge. Political life will go on without him.


  58. - low level - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:58 pm:

    “ If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. Have two relatively new leaders will make for a rambunctious mob of senators and representatives.”

    Right. Don Harmon is a newbie to leadership, right? And Madigan’s replacement would be some “newbie”? Not likely.


  59. - RNUG - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:18 pm:

    == If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. ==

    There will be several weeks of maneuvering and consolidating of support … which may have already started behind the scenes. That may be ugly, and the public may never see all of it. Plus, as part of resigning, MJM may (will?) try to play kingmaker.

    The Republic will survive, even the State and the Illinois Democrat Party. But the balance of power will have shifted, and the new Speaker most likely will not have as big a power base as MJM enjoyed.


  60. - truthteller - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:29 pm:

    lots of democrats want to see Madigan gone, he has over stayed his welcome


  61. - Anon - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:48 pm:

    Which day in late October will the indictments come?


  62. - Huh? - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:55 pm:

    One of the things that Madigan has been good at is party discipline. Any new leader will not have the power or authority to impose any equivalent measure of discipline.

    A new Speaker will have to try to wrangle a House membership feeling freedom from Madigan.


  63. - Derek Smalls - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 7:20 pm:

    RNUG - I don’t subscribe to the theory that everything bad in Illinois = Madigan, but I also don’t subscribe to the “only Madigan’s steady hand has preserved us” theory. Curious as to what your views are toward what a post-Madigan Speaker can do/must do to lead the state forward in light the pandemic and developing economic collapse? I know those are really big questions, but your non-partisan insights are one of the highlights of this blog.


  64. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 7:59 pm:

    Madigan issued a statement. Madigan isn’t resigning, per Amanda Vinicky’s twitter.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Reader comments closed for the holiday weekend
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Update to today’s edition (Updated)
* Uber’s Local Partnership = Stress-Free Travel For Paratransit Riders
* IEA releases member poll, with eye on major pension upgrade
* Finally, a CTU fiscal proposal that doesn't involve magic beans
* Go read the rest
* As lawsuits and strike threats fly, Pritzker calls on Stellantis to live up to its commitments on Belvidere plant
* Today's quotable: George McCaskey
* Buried nugget and magic beans
* Open thread
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition and some campaign stuff
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller