* From the governor’s office…
Federal law enforcement informed the Governor that he was only a witness, and the Governor agreed to their request to speak to them about his experiences with and knowledge of Mike Madigan.
• The Governor spoke to federal investigators in late February on a voluntary basis.
• The Governor spoke to federal investigators virtually for an hour. He was at his home. There was no time limit on the meeting.
• He answered every question they posed and we encourage you to ask federal authorities for any additional details that they are willing to provide.
• Federal law enforcement asked the Governor to provide information with regard to his interactions with former Speaker Madigan. He was pleased to cooperate and provide information.
* And a reminder that US Attorney Lausch was asked today about the indictment’s allegations that Speaker Madigan had told then-Ald. Solis that he would help him get a position in the Pritzker administration…
There is no allegation in this indictment against the governor or his staff. … There’s no allegation in the indictment that the state board position was actually given.
- New Day - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:14 pm:
JB and Madigan were not friends and were not close in any way, shape or form. Anyone who suggests otherwise are lying.
- Nick - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:15 pm:
Even if the substance here is, well, barely existent, I have no doubt “Priztker interviewed by FBI” is going to play very loudly this fall over a picture of Mike Madigan behind bars.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:17 pm:
The indictment of Michael Madigan brings Illinois one step closer to being deserving of a first in the nation or early presidential primary contest.
The specter of this man’s corruption will no longer threaten aspirant politicians and office seekers.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:17 pm:
Just my opinion, but I think Madigan learned early on in the Pritzker admin that the Gov was not going to roll over for him. It’s also safe to say that Madigan was not a fan of this Gov and his people. Repubs may try to have a field day with this storyline, but there’s no “there” there. If there was, today’s announcement by the Feds would have looked much different as they’d prefer to fry a sitting gov than even this disgraced former powerful speaker.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:20 pm:
The raw politics?
Bet “more than a few” are glad for the June primary now… and the shorter season to November.
I’m glad to read about the governor here doing what needed to be done, and aiding law enforcement.
We’ll see if the governor can get that “not a target” all clear for his work. That would be a bonus.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:24 pm:
===Madigan was not a fan of this Gov and his people===
Probably. I do know that McClain had a deep hatred for Pritzker’s chief.
- AD - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:26 pm:
Yeah, JB will have to answer for Madigan on a bunch of different issues, but him being involved in Madigan’s schemes is illogical on both his and Madigan’s end and I believe him (and I’ve been a critic of his on other issues).
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:36 pm:
Well no one is “pleased” about such a thing, but Lausch’s statement seems to remove any cloud that might otherwise materialize. Will still be ad fodder though as noted.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:06 pm:
Is anyone really pleased to talk to the feds?
- The Hills 60010 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:19 pm:
“- New Day - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:14 pm:
JB and Madigan were not friends and were not close in any way, shape or form. Anyone who suggests otherwise are lying.”
While they may not be “friends”, but are there similar tactics of using greater access to resources and/or using “friendly” electeds, party donors/bundlers to punish/silence/ work to find more the more amenable sycophantic types to primary those who dare not do “the decided” bidding of those who think lock step obedience, with no room for discussion, is the only way?
The Governor may not be aware, but there is a group of well-heeled chaos sowers who have, or claim to have, access to him who might think they are doing him a favor weeding out those who truly are about being the peoples’ representatives.
- The Hills 60010 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:26 pm:
“- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 7:17 pm:
The indictment of Michael Madigan brings Illinois one step closer to being deserving of a first in the nation or early presidential primary contest.
The specter of this man’s corruption will no longer threaten aspirant politicians and office seekers.”
As long as there is not allowed, a new form of corruption with a nicer cut of clothing and fancying itself “better” and having more class.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:29 pm:
== The Governor may not be aware, but there is a group of well-heeled chaos sowers who have, or claim to have, access to him who might think they are doing him a favor weeding out those who truly are about being the peoples’ representatives. ==
lol, what? conspiracy theory much?
- Another Vote - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:33 pm:
He was also a part of the Blago investigation. JB keeps interesting company.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:53 pm:
I’m no where near them and I know they are not buds. Come on haters….
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:54 pm:
Still think the US Attorney’s Office is overly optimistic in their reading of McDonnell v. United States. For the record, I think the US Supremes were wrong in overturning Kerner’s convictions.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:59 pm:
Now that we are reasonably sure JB is clean, we can easily discard any insinuation that he is tied to Madigan and his alleged crimes. There goes that line of attack.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 9:11 pm:
===There goes that line of attack.===
FWIW, I think you’re right about the substance, but this attack will be played on a loop until November, baseless as it is. It is wishful thinking that this attack somehow ends here. Copy your comment above so you can repost this dozens of times in the future, in a futile and tedious attempt to use facts in the face of political attacks by those who benefit from smearing the Governor.
- allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 9:22 pm:
I truly appreciate our Governor for openly and freely helping with the federal investigation. I also appreciate the statement from his office, they say just about everything they are allowed to at this point.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 9:25 pm:
“It is wishful thinking that this attack somehow ends here.”
Agreed, just that it has zero legitimacy. Which is a good thing.
- Nieva - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 9:34 pm:
Just wonder if he had his attorney present??
- Hamlet on the Potomac - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 9:39 pm:
Lots of people whistling past that graveyard on this post. It makes no difference at all if Pritzker and Madigan were best buddies. Pritzker was made to talk to the feds about Madigan. That’s all that matters. This is a game changer for Irvin and Bailey. This case won’t go away, so JB will be asked about it over and over again between now and November. This may move the needle enough, along with the crime issue to send JB packing.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Mar 3, 22 @ 12:01 am:
47th is correct
- The Dude - Thursday, Mar 3, 22 @ 5:48 am:
I love how everyone just assumes this isn’t going to be a big deal for JB and democrats as a whole. This is going to be talked about for a while.
Yeah, it was all just Madigan and nobody knew a thing. Get real. We all know more is to come and GOP isn’t going to let up.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 3, 22 @ 6:17 am:
It’s important to note the following;
WBEZ
===Asked about that part of the case against Madigan, Lausch said, “There is no allegation in this indictment against the governor or his staff.”===
The politics to any indictment that will be a headwind, but the governor getting that lil blurb of being cleared, his staff being cleared too… it gives that Crew something to hang a hat on outside Madigan.
The race… it got way more expensive.
- The Hills 60010 - Thursday, Mar 3, 22 @ 6:53 am:
“- Shytown - Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 8:29 pm:
== The Governor may not be aware, but there is a group of well-heeled chaos sowers who have, or claim to have, access to him who might think they are doing him a favor weeding out those who truly are about being the peoples’ representatives. ==
lol, what? conspiracy theory much?”
Not “conspiracy theory”. Gov is good, wants to and could be a good Prez, if he doesn’t allow himself to be pulled into the petty being vindictive lane.
We will see.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 3, 22 @ 6:57 am:
===Gov is good, wants to and could be a good Prez, if he doesn’t allow himself to be pulled into the petty being vindictive lane.===
This is concerned trolling, if anything.
Right now the only concern is likely the damage control from the Madigan fallout that the governor has been cleared of any connection or of any wrongdoing
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Mar 3, 22 @ 8:14 am:
Madigan cleared out a path for Pritzker in the 2018 primary. Just look at who endorsed him. So to act like Priztker was an outsider going against the Madigan machine is rewriting history.