I reached out last week to several members of the “19” — the Democratic House members who refused to vote to reelect House Speaker Michael Madigan in 2021, thereby forcing him into retirement.
I asked for their reaction to Madigan’s 90-month federal prison sentence handed down a few days earlier. Because it was a holiday (Father’s Day), I didn’t expect to hear much back.
But in talking with several members who didn’t want to be quoted, and some who were, their minds were clearly more focused on the still-unfolding events following the shootings of some Minnesota legislators than on their role years ago in ousting Madigan.
The alleged assassin of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse, who also allegedly attempted to assassinate state Sen. John Hoffman and his spouse, reportedly created a “hit list” of numerous Minnesota Democratic state legislators as well as abortion rights advocates.
If you had any interaction with a state legislator since the shootings, you know this horrific crime has struck many of them at their very core.
More legislators than you may realize have received credible threats of violence, or have been stalked. Most refuse to talk about it for the record, but those shootings showed what could’ve happened to them and what may still happen in the future.
And the fact that family members were also targeted in Minnesota only makes things worse.
“I’ve found myself thinking less about Michael Madigan and more about another former speaker, Melissa Hortman, who I had the privilege of meeting through our work as Uniform Law Commissioners,” said “19” member Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, in response to my question about Madigan. “We should all aspire to serve and to be remembered like Speaker Hortman: ethically, impactfully, and with a steady commitment to doing the right thing for as many people as possible.”
Rep. Didech went on to say, “As legislators, our good reputations are like a cup filled drop by drop, and can be emptied in a single moment. We owe it to our families, our constituents, and our state to one day leave office with our cups still full.”
Some “19” members managed to stick solely to the question at hand:
• State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, was a persistent thorn in Madigan’s side: “After so many years and so much turmoil, I am glad to see this chapter finally reach a conclusion, although I can’t celebrate anyone going into a prison system that doesn’t truly make people better. Speaker Madigan’s corruption caused real harm to the well-being of our communities, and I won’t forget his impact on my own life anytime soon, but we are moving on as a state. Both chambers have new leaders, and they’re charting their own courses forward. I’m looking forward to the progress we can make together now that this painful period has reached its conclusion.”
• Former state Rep. Deb Conroy, who is now the DuPage County Board chair and who had to deal with threats of violence when she was a legislator about a bill she sponsored: “Nineteen legislators took a stand individually and stood together for what they felt was the right thing to do for the future of our party and the state of Illinois. It was often a difficult road. Members turned against members and caucuses chose sides. My hope is we can turn the page and move forward united in our democratic values.”
• State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego: “I had no idea back then what the outcome would be. In the end, due process was afforded to former Speaker Madigan, the jury made its ruling and the judge rendered the sentence. It is an unfortunate end to his legacy and legislative tenure, and a difficult situation for his wife, Shirley, and his family. However, as elected officials, we need to continue to strive to repair the damage to the public trust and strive to ensure we are held to the highest ethical standard.”
• State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin: “The sentencing of former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan underscores a fundamental American principle: no one is above the law. I was one of the 19 House Democrats who chose not to support Speaker Madigan’s re-election in 2021. That decision was rooted in my belief that elected officials must be held to the highest ethical standards, and that real reform starts with leadership. As a state legislator, I remain steadfast in my commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity. The people of Illinois deserve a government at all levels that works for them — not for entrenched power or political gain.”
- Hello - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:01 am:
The politician who took on Madigan three years before these 19 was Chris Kennedy.
- clec dcn - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:02 am:
Bad typo please forgive I meant to say violence is never the answer. Repeat violence is never the answer.
- Leatherneck - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:06 am:
=The politician who took on Madigan three years before these 19 was Chris Kennedy=
Although this are very poor examples and were part of Illinois’ 20-year malaise before Pritzker came to office, don’t forget Blago and Rauner. Both taking on Madigan long before the “19″ ever did.
- Frida's Boss - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:16 am:
“You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain”- Dark Knight
Can’t really think of a more fitting line describing the former Speaker.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:27 am:
==That said there is no place for abortions==
That’s an odd thing to say on this thread. Besides, you’re wrong.
- clec dcn - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:37 am:
@demmoralized Not odd at all that was part of the hit list of the Minnesota list. You are entitled to your opinion but taking someone’s life has implications when they cannot speak for themselves.
- Norseman - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:38 am:
When you embrace dehumanizing your political opposition, you’re an accessory to violence. I have to resist my nostalgic desire to look back the days when we were opponents on the Capitol floor and friends after hours - I still consider them my friends. There has always been that dark side of politics, but it has now been accelerated by social media and the return of propaganda media outlets. Next time you walk through the screening at the Capitol, think about the violence that brought them there. RIP Bill.
- *ducks* - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 10:51 am:
“Although this are very poor examples and were part of Illinois’ 20-year malaise before Pritzker came to office, don’t forget Blago and Rauner. “
Kennedy, Blago, Rauner. An illustrious list of who it worked out well for. MJM was his own worst enemy in the end, and that’s why he is where he is.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 11:02 am:
==but taking someone’s life has implications ==
That sounds like you’re being an apologist for the assasin and that it just despicable.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 11:05 am:
===was Chris Kennedy===
And your point is… what? He came in third out of three.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 11:27 am:
There are many on the sidelines, unnamed, that crossed MJM and his crew only to be cast aside and steamrolled. Appreciate the 19, but they only represent a few and they are the fortunate to have managed to survive it. Others, not so much.
- Langhorne - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 11:40 am:
Don’t overlook the safety of district office staff. They often work alone, or in small numbers. A survey done years ago showed that about one out of three district office staff felt unsafe in their offices in the prior 30 days.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 1:07 pm:
===There are many on the sidelines, unnamed, that crossed MJM and his crew only to be cast aside and steamrolled.===
IF you were here for the 26 consecutive years of GOP governors, you’d know things far worse than MJM’s “sins” occurred.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 1:22 pm:
===And your point is… what? He came in third out of three. ===
To back Rich up even further with his point, what exactly has Chris Kennedy been doing since he lost the 2018 gubernatorial primary? Other than endorsing Joe Biden over RFK Jr, nothing really comes to mind.
Heckuva 7 years for someone to be hanging out on the sidelines — staying rich and getting richer.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 1:47 pm:
The 19 accomplished what seemed to be the impossible in removing Madigan from the speakership. It took a ton of courage for them to hold together and meet their goal, and Illinois is better off for them having done it. Thanks again to all of them.
- Hello - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 2:20 pm:
Point is Chris Kennedy had some principle & guts challenging Madigan & his law firm’s property appeals biz. IL, one of the nation’s laughingstocks on ethics, needed more Kennedys instead of Dems playing along with Madigan for their own self preservation.
- Loop Lady - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 2:21 pm:
Fridas Boss: Madigan chose to act on his worst impulses…no one stuck a gun to his head and compelled him to act the way he did.
Karma took awhile, but it finally showed up.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 2:22 pm:
===needed more Kennedys instead of Dems playing along===
And yet when 19 people stuck together to finally drive him out of office, you downplay them and praise a guy who finished third in a statewide primary and hasn’t been heard from since.
Look inward for ten seconds.
- Hello - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 2:39 pm:
Of course the 19 had backbone & made a difference.
Good for them. Kennedy did the same, three years earlier, but Dems weren’t ready for change & reform then. As a Democrat I can say unequivocally our party and the GOP ain’t always ready for reform & change. Lots of other states kick our ass in that department.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 2:55 pm:
I’ll see your Chris Kennedy and raise you a Jay Doherty.
19 HDems stuck their necks out and stuck together. That, and that alone, is why Madigan was forced out.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 4:15 pm:
===Point is Chris Kennedy had some principle & guts challenging Madigan & his law firm’s property appeals biz===
It is really just odd to be crediting Chris Kennedy for any of this. This is probably the most he has been mentioned on this blog since he lost a primary in 2018 and faded into immediate political obscurity. His obscurity and his continued obscurity is a choice. There’s a lot of ways to be meaningfully involved in politics in this state and in this country and he has definitely chosen to avoid anything that would attract attention. He — and the other members of his generation of the Kennedy family have essentially made it so RFK Jr. is now defining a significant portion of the political legacy of their family.
But for clarity, by challenging; do you mean by making a handful of statements while running unsuccessfully for public office?
Could a multi-millionaire perhaps have made a more tangible effort? If he did I am certainly not aware of it.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 6:19 pm:
Ummm Chris Kennedy the megaproperty landlord? Was mad about property tax appeals shakedowns? What a profile in courage, lol
- Stephanie Kollmann - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 6:20 pm:
Illinois owes a great deal to the 19.
- Deserving - Monday, Jun 23, 25 @ 8:21 pm:
Particular credit to Kifowit and Cassidy.