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Pritzker to Madigan: Answer all questions or resign

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gov. Pritzker at his media briefing today…

When it comes to the law, I don’t have any ability to predict how this investigation by the US Attorney into Speaker Madigan’s actions is going to conclude, and I would not even try.

I firmly believe that anyone accused of a crime, and those who face accusations of wrongdoing, are innocent until proven guilty.

But that’s not our standard for holding higher office. Instead, here’s what we all know the pay to play quid pro quo situation outlined in these indictments released last night our unspeakably wrong.

Anyone who concludes otherwise is insulting the public.

If Speaker Madigan wants to continue in a position of enormous public trust with such a serious ethical cloud hanging over his head. Then he has to at the very least, be willing to stand in front of the press and the people in the answer every last question to their satisfaction. Written statements and dodged investigatory hearings are not going to cut it.

If the speaker cannot commit to that level of transparency, then the time has come for him to resign as speaker.

We are at an incredibly difficult moment in our state. We are all overwhelmed with decisions of life and death, and economic distress. The people of Illinois do not deserve a political circus.

On top of that, I’ve maintained from the beginning that legislators have a right to make their own decisions about who leads them, and I continue to feel that way. These legislators alone hold the unique power to elect the Illinois speaker, and I trust that they will think long and hard about the duties that they owe to the people that we all work

Please pardon all transcription errors.

…Adding… Pritzker was asked if he was calling legislators asking them to vote against Madigan…

Look, the legislators themselves know what they need to consider. They’re the ones who ultimately are going to decide whether the speaker is going to continue. I speak with members of the legislature all the time. I have not spoken with members of legislature since last night.

And I’ll say it again. If Speaker Madigan wants to continue in his position of enormous public trust, then he has to answer questions for the public, for the press to their satisfaction until every last question is answered. And if the speaker can’t commit to that he ought to resign.

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*** UPDATED x4 - Didech joins opposition - Croke won’t vote for MJM - Conroy, Gabel, Moeller and Williams say they won’t be backing Madigan - Guzzardi says he’s a ‘No’ *** Tipping point: Two more House Democrats say they won’t vote to reelect Speaker Madigan

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Future of the Democratic House Caucus

This year has presented us with many challenges and we have always put the betterment of the people of Illinois first. We want to see our caucus go a new direction with different leadership. Therefore, we will not be supporting the current speaker for the 102nd General Assembly.

Representative Jonathan Carroll
57th District

Representative Sam Yingling
62nd District

That’s 14.

If everyone who has said they won’t vote for Madigan (8 plus today’s 2) or said he should step aside and let someone else take over (4) actually stick to their guns, Speaker Madigan is now at 59 for the January election. That’s one short of the 60 he needs to win another term.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Rep. Will Guzzardi makes 15…

In so many ways, our state is at a crossroads. We face unprecedented political, economic, social, and public health crises. And they are compounded by Illinoisans’ lack of faith in our government to lead our state fairly and ethically.

The charges announced last night only confirm what we already knew: the old ways of doing business in Springfield will not be adequate to rise to our present challenges. We will need new, transformative leadership to meet this moment.

I join many of my fellow House members in asking Rep. Madigan not to seek re-election as Speaker of the Illinois House. If he does, we will not be voting for him. And without our votes, we do not believe he will have the requisite number to be re-elected as Speaker.

It is time for our House Democratic Caucus to decide on new leadership for the 102nd General Assembly. This is a historic moment, and I look forward to the discussion with my colleagues on a transformative new direction for our Caucus.

…Adding… Reps. Kelly Cassidy, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Terra Costa Howard, Maurice West, Bob Morgan, Anne Stava-Murray, Stephanie Kifowit and Lindsey LaPointe have all said they would not vote to reelect Madigan. Reps. Deb Conroy, Robyn Gabel, Anna Moeller and Ann Williams recently sent Madigan a letter asking him not to run again so somebody new could take his place. Add today’s three and that’s 15. The House Democrats will have 73 seats in the next General Assembly, so MJM is now two shy of the 60 he needs for reelection unless some folks get cold feet and flip back.

*** UPDATE 2 *** This seals it…

November 19, 2020

On November 8, 2020, we sent a letter to Speaker Madigan calling on him to step aside and make room for new leadership of the Illinois House in January. In the wake of yesterday’s expansive and far-reaching indictment, it has become even more clear that the Speaker will no longer be able to effectively lead the House Democratic caucus, and we will not be supporting him for Speaker.

We are committed to working collaboratively with our colleagues to identify the best path forward to protect working families, ensure access to healthcare, protect our environment and address other critical Democratic priorities.

Representative Deb Conroy - 46th District
Representative Robyn Gabel - 18th District
Representative Anna Moeller - 43rd District
Representative Ann M. Williams - 11th District

*** UPDATE 3 *** Press release…

Representative-elect Margaret Croke of Illinois’ 12th district will not support Speaker Michael Madigan’s reelection as the Speaker of the Illinois House.

Croke, who will represent Chicago’s near Northside, lakefront neighborhoods stated, “Given the incredible challenges facing our state, Springfield cannot afford distractions that take our focus off of meeting those challenges head-on.

We must do all that we can to restore people’s trust. Springfield needs to focus on helping people get through this pandemic and then restoring and rebuilding a better economy and state that works for everyone.

With change comes opportunity. Illinois has a diverse and majority-woman legislature. It is my hope that when I am sworn in to serve the 12th district, I will have an opportunity to cast my vote for a Speaker that represents the diversity of our state. We must then get to work restoring trust with voters and addressing the very serious and real challenges we face.”

Croke joins other notable representatives calling for a change in leadership.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Rep. Daniel Didech has also issued a statement. Click here to read it.

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