* SW News Herald…
Arguably the most powerful state politician in Illinois history, State Rep. Michael J. Madigan (D-22nd) left his constituents speculating about his future last week, in the wake of news that he failed to muster enough votes to be re-elected as speaker of the state House of Representatives.
A Greater Southwest News-Herald request for comment went unanswered last week, but voters outside the Walgreens at 71st and Pulaski—just blocks from Madigan’s longtime political headquarters—were filled with what they said were answers.
“He’s slick, he’s smooth and he’s not going anywhere,” Jose Salgado said. “He’s going from being the man on the throne to the man behind the throne. I think [new House Speaker] Chris Welch was Madigan’s Plan B. Madigan saw he didn’t have the votes [to be re-elected speaker], so he put forth one of his lieutenants as a proxy. Madigan still has plenty of power. Don’t let anyone kid you with these ‘end of an era’ pronouncements.
“Madigan knows what his next move is, but he hasn’t said what it is because he’s holding his cards close to his vest,” Salgado added. “No one plays political poker as well as he does.” […]
“The Hammer’s still pounding,” [Francisco Salgado] said, using Madigan’s longtime nickname, the Velvet Hammer (referring to Madigan’s reputation for pounding his political opponents quietly and with finesse). “If anything, he’s going to pound his enemies even more quietly, now that he can do it through Welch. I think [Governor JB Pritzker] and everyone who tried to force Madigan out are in for a pounding.” […]
“What does every politician do after their career in a legislature is over?” [Keith McGuane] asked rhetorically. “He registers as a lobbyist; and then oh boy, that’s when they really cash in. Aldermen do it. Congressmen do it. I’ll bet Madigan does it, too. This is a man with options. And if he can get past this ComEd investigation, his next address is Easy Street.”
I think he already lives on that street.
- Rabid - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:40 am:
ComEd’s newest lobbyist
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:45 am:
Madigans been waiting patiently to cash in?…Yeah…that’s the ticket.
He’s The Grand Master of the waiting game?
PleasePleasePuhleeze.
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:46 am:
King MJM will not lobby, my friend…for what? He’s doesn’t need that. The streets will still get paved and plowed as his alderman Quinn is still in office, right?
I don’t think he will be going after some heads should he survive the ComEd scandal either. Pritzker, Rauner, Leader Durkin, will all sleep comfortably.
- Roger Abbott - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:52 am:
Easy Street? Does that intersect with Wake-Up-And-Smell-The-Coffee Blvd?
- Third Reading - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:53 am:
Who needs John Kass when Tim Hadac talks to the real life people?
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:55 am:
Once again, for many Illinoisans, Madigan will be pulling strings from the grave.
- "Old Timer Dem" - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:57 am:
MJM loves the 13th Ward and the 13th Ward loves him.
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:57 am:
Will MJM join his local VFW bingo on Wed nights..well, probably..but no lobbying is in the cards.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 10:57 am:
When your in-law uncle, married to your favorite aunt, and lives in the 13th Ward, tells you “the way it is now” as you try to get out of the cornering he has you in.
- Drake Mallard - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 11:02 am:
A lot of city, state and County employees are no longer going to be able to say “tell it to the speaker” when approached about Job performance. A welcome reprieve.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 11:06 am:
=his next address is Easy Street…the 13th Ward loves him=
Confirmation bias by those who long enjoyed his largesse. Denizen of the 13th ward may be the last to realize that it is “game over” for his power.
- Blanche - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 11:12 am:
Maybe some de-programming is needed.
- Druid Eye - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 11:19 am:
Huge change with the loss of the Speakership for the neighborhood. It’s the Redistricting of an already predominately Latino Ward …..that has a lot of people nervous.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 11:23 am:
“Today, everything is different. There’s no action. I have to wait around like everyone else. Can’t even get decent food. Right after I got here I ordered some corned beef and cabbage and I got chuck roast and sauerkraut. I’m an average nobody. I get to live the rest of my life like a schnook.”
- SAP - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 11:27 am:
Slightly off-topic, but can anybody recommend a good law firm to do some property tax appeal work in Chicago?
- Feldy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 11:46 am:
Delusional support for a political leader who can do no wrong in their eyes. He’s never down. It’s all part of a master plan from the master himself. We’re just not smart enough to understand.
Very similar to Trump sycophants.
- Frumpy White Guy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 12:25 pm:
Getzendanner & madigan Law Offices
- Levois J - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 12:26 pm:
Having trouble adjusting to a new reality? Really? What’s said in this brief excerpt seems very plausible. Especially being the power “behind the throne”.
- levivotedforjudy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 1:07 pm:
This is a lot like when Richard M. Daley decided to not run again. A lot of City Hall politicos I knew just could not get their arms or heads wrapped around a new mayor. They had never been in an administration transition before.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 1:20 pm:
As for the Governor, Rauner and Durkin…I’d guess it’s Madigan’s intention for everyone to continue living on that Easy Street…but just a guess.
Easy Street is a clean street…for all.
- Lurker - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 3:13 pm:
So these were randos outside a Walgreens? They know more about Illinois politics than anyone in Peoria that is getting paid to know something.
- Advocate - Tuesday, Jan 26, 21 @ 8:40 pm:
Doesn’t Madigan control a PAC with $13 million in it. I think he’ll do just fine. No need to lobby.