Madigan pens op-ed from prison
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Crain’s Chicago Business op-ed entitled “Pritzker should say ‘yes’ to Trump’s tax credit for students”…
The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act lets taxpayers claim a deduction of up to $1,700 on their federal income taxes if they donate to a qualified scholarship-granting organization.
The scholarships provide for a wide range of education-related expenses for students in elementary or secondary school. Every state’s taxpayers are already paying to provide these benefits, but only those states that choose to receive them will do so. Gov. JB Pritzker has his reservations. Meanwhile, the people of Illinois lose out.
Who wrote it? Check this out…
Michael J. Madigan is former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. He is currently serving 7.5 years in federal prison for using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates
Not sure that having MJM advocate for this action was such a good idea. Then again, President Trump is mulling a round of 250 pardons as part of the July 4th national celebration.
- New Day - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 1:59 pm:
Why in the world would he agree to write that OpEd without controlling the author’s ID content? As they say, the juice is really really really not worth the squeeze on this.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:02 pm:
I take some satisfaction in seeing Madigan genuflect before the orange one. That has to sting a bit.
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:03 pm:
Two out of three convicts support Trump’s policies?
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:11 pm:
When Mike Madigan speaks?…Who cares?
- Earnest - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:12 pm:
He just needs to find the current rate and middleman and purchase the appropriate amount of crypto. Probably cheaper than the legal fees.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:15 pm:
- Why in the world would he agree to write that OpEd without controlling the author’s ID content? -
I doubt he thinks his current status is a secret. The bigger question is why in the world would Crains agree to publish this?
- Let there be Sunshine - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:18 pm:
At the end of the day who is going to have more influence with our Governor…..Ms Gates….or Mr Madigan….
- thingamajaig - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:23 pm:
He’s just doing what he’s gotta do to get his pardon. I respect it.
- Give us Barabbas - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:25 pm:
Madigan is appealing to trump’s vanity to get a pardon, like Blago before him. It’s a smart play, and has even odds of working because the Chaos Goblin enjoys messing with democrats and Chicago.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:30 pm:
If Madigan is this desperate for a pardon to get out of prison then perhaps he should hire Rod Blagojevich to “lobby” for him.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:31 pm:
===perhaps he should hire Rod Blagojevich to “lobby” for him. ===
The ultimate irony.
- Horseshoe Voter - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:34 pm:
Gov. Hochul just opted NY in for the program, which will help give other Dem govs cover to opt in. Long-time voucher supporter MJM’s op-ed - not so much.
- Eric Zorn - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:41 pm:
>> Why in the world would he agree to write that OpEd without controlling the author’s ID content? >>>.
That’s not how op-ed author ID italic shirttails are supposed to work, though they often contain far too much puffery. I have unsuccessfully argued that the author IDs should be at the top of opeds, not the bottom.
- Northern Observer - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:49 pm:
Mike Madigan strikes me as a former star ballplayer who lived for the game and simply can’t accept he’s been benched. I believe it is just as likely he can’t stand watching this simple trick box game go unsolved as it is that he’s angling for a pardon from Donald Trump. As for Crain’s, it will get them some additional eyeballs. Bully for them…
- The Opinions Bureau - Thursday, May 14, 26 @ 2:58 pm:
“My first job was on the back of a garbage truck, and were it not for the priests at St. Ignatius High School encouraging me to work hard at my studies, it could have remained my job until retirement.”
So *that’s* who’s to blame