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Sen. Martinez: “Speaker Madigan needs to explain these inconsistencies or resign as leader of the Party”

Saturday, Nov 23, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

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* Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) supported the appointment of Eva-Dina Delgado to the House over Speaker Madigan’s strong objections. Martinez sent out a press release today…

Recent news reports call into question the forthrightness of Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan’s commitment to fighting the harassment and abuse that spurred the #METOO movement. The Chicago Tribune reports Speaker Mike Madigan closest political confidants paid disgraced political operator Kevin Quinn, more than $30,000. The first payments arrived right after Madigan publicly stated that Quinn was no longer part of his political organization. During the same period, Madigan penned a Tribune Op-ed, saying he “made it a personal mission to take this issue head-on and correct past mistakes.”

“Women are the foundation of the Democrat Party. Speaker Madigan doesn’t get this simple fact. Last year, Speaker Madigan claimed to want to clean up his messes. His long-serving Chief-of-Staff had to leave in disgrace because of sexual harassment. His key aide, the brother to his Alderman, also had to exit in disgrace because of sexual harassment. He publicly promised things would be different. But he didn’t want to change his staff’s behavior. He wanted a cover-up. Madigan lied in public while his cronies paid the harasser,” states Senator Iris Martinez, who is also a State Central Democratic Committeeperson. “This action should not be tolerated from Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party. Speaker Madigan needs to explain these inconsistencies or resign as leader of the Party.”

At an Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association event last year, Michael Madigan addressed the importance of abolishing a culture that perpetuated sexual harassment, bullying, and fear of retaliation in the workplace. He outlined measures taken against party officials and collaborators who fired after reports of harassing behavior. Many people believed that speaker Madigan’s words were the prelude to a real and positive change. This week’s Tribune story demonstrates Mike Madigan’s sincerity on sexual harassment was merely public relations cover.

“I urge my colleagues in the party and the legislature to join my demand for answers. Speaker Madigan must state what he knew, and when he knew it,” Martinez continued. The party and the public deserve to know why Madigan’s top lieutenants paid $30,000 to a fired, disgraced sexual harasser while at the same time directing a PR whisper campaign against the victim. The misogyny of the Madigan era must end. Women have come too far to have a leader who thinks pay-offs and cover-ups are appropriate. Madigan should be ashamed that he and his people stand with the harasser and against the victim.”

* She and others also talked to the Tribune yesterday…

A Madigan spokeswoman stood by the statement given when the Tribune disclosed McClain’s role: “If a group of people were attempting to help Kevin Quinn, the speaker was not a part of it.” […]

As for Martinez, she and Madigan have been involved in some intraparty fights, including local Democratic Party slatemaking.

But Martinez, the state central committeewoman of the 4th Congressional District, said her questions about Madigan had nothing to do with her run for circuit court clerk. She did not get the Cook County party endorsement of Madigan and other local Democratic leaders, who slated Michael Cabonargi, a member of the county Board of Review.

In addition to Martinez’s comments, Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago called the payments to Quinn “frustrating.” Cassidy also said it was “incredibly frustrating” that so many people were worried about [Kevin] Quinn rather than his victim. “Everybody’s asking about him,” she said.

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Senate to convene Sunday, January 19 to elect new president

Friday, Nov 22, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The chamber had previously scheduled a January 28th return date…

I’m told the reason for an early return is to allow time for the new Senate President to prepare for the spring session.

…Adding… January 19 is Gov. Pritzker’s birthday, but he’ll have to preside over the Senate. Oops.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Fundraiser list

Friday, Nov 22, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Corruption roundup

Friday, Nov 22, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* You almost need a visual aid to follow this story about some rather shady fellows…

The operator of a Summit bar that’s come under scrutiny as part of a political corruption investigation in the southwest suburbs is an associate of a top political operative for Ald. Edward Burke and state Sen. Martin Sandoval, both facing their own problems with federal investigators.

Mariano “Mario” Martinez — who runs Mars Bar, 6030 S. Harlem Ave. — has personal and professional connections to Rudy Acosta Sr., a Burke precinct captain and Sandoval pal, according to records and interviews.

Martinez, 50, was charged earlier this year with possessing and distributing a kilo of heroin.

Court papers filed in March by his lawyer identify Acosta’s nephew as the “cooperating witness” who helped federal authorities ensnare Martinez.

Martinez’s name surfaced after federal agents visited Summit on Sept. 26 as part of the ongoing corruption probe and questioned Mayor Sergio Rodriguez on matters including whether political pressure was applied to get Mars Bar a late-hours liquor license, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.

* Tribune…

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday said she’s not sure whether she’ll call for Commissioner Jeff Tobolski to resign from his elected position, despite his absence from three important board meetings.

Preckwinkle, who is chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, recently called on Tobolski, who is also mayor in McCook, to step down from his committee leadership posts.

“I’m not sure how this is going to play out. I don’t want to speculate now on what actions I may take in the future,” she said. “I think it was clear to me anyway that we needed to make some changes in leadership as a result of his continued absence, and we’re in the process of doing that. We’ll have some recommendations for the December meeting.”

* Meanwhile…

A south suburban developer is in the early stages of a deal that could bring horse racing back to Balmoral Park near south suburban Crete as part of a project that would include casino-style gambling. […]

But before Goldberg’s plan for Balmoral can be realized, state lawmakers would have to amend the gambling expansion bill Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law this summer. The law permitted a horse track and casino to operate in any of six south suburban Cook County townships, and Balmoral is in Will County. […]

A proposal for a new “racino” in Tinley Park was derailed after Pritzker stepped in to quash a sale of state land for the project. The governor’s action came after the Tribune reported the developer’s longstanding business ties to a banking family with reputed mob connections.

…Adding… Forgot about this one…

A former vice chancellor at City Colleges of Chicago and seven others have been indicted on federal charges alleging they ran a $350,000 kickback scheme that awarded college contracts to a series of companies with ties to the administrator’s relatives and associates.

In some cases, no work was even performed, the charges alleged.

Sharod Gordon, 45, of Oak Park, was charged in an indictment made public Wednesday with 16 counts of wire fraud. At the time of the alleged scheme, Gordon served as City Colleges’ associate vice chancellor for community relations and recruitment and later the vice chancellor of legislative and community affairs.

Also charged was Gordon’s ex-wife, Angelique Orr, 49, and two former employees of City Colleges who worked under Gordon, Krystal Stokes, 39, and Marva Smith 37. Katheryn Hayes, a spokeswoman for City Colleges, said Stokes worked as a project director and Smith as a liaison for local government agencies, both since November 2011. Stokes left in February 2018, while Smith’s last day was Wednesday, she said.

More info is here.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** “Power is in the imagination. It’s what you give him.”

Friday, Nov 22, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* WGN interviews Sen. Kimberly Lightford…

And then there’s the issue of America’s longest-serving Speaker of a State legislator, Michael Madigan.

“I’ve got a good relationship with the Speaker. I actually respect him as a legislator. He’s done an amazing job over what 40 years or more? You can’t take it away from him, he’s a political genius,” Lightford said. “But that doesn’t intimidate me. It allows me an opportunity to work with the speaker. I have excellent negotiation skills and I would love to shake up the table a little bit. … Power is in the imagination. It’s what you give him. I’ll have power too as the Senate president so we can balance our power out. “

Thoughts?

*** UPDATE *** Some of the “thoughts” in comments are clearly lacking on this topic. A legislator pal just texted me this: He has the power you allow him to have over you. Operate from there.

That’s at the heart of what Lightford said, not your own fantasy worlds.

Madigan gets into peoples’ heads. Look at Bruce Rauner, who let Madigan reside rent free in his cranium for four long years.

The best way to deal with Madigan is, first and foremost, not let him get into your head.

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Rep. Tarver explains arrest

Friday, Nov 22, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From a Proft paper…

State Rep. Curtis Tarver II (D-Chicago) was arrested Monday night in the Woodlawn section of Chicago and charged with carrying a weapon with an invalid concealed carry license (CCL), according to Chicago police.

Replying to an inquiry from Chicago City Wire, the CPD Office of Communications said that at approximately 8:32 p.m. on November 18 officers on patrol in the 6500 block of South Stony Island Avenue stopped a vehicle with a broken headlight. They asked the driver, whom they identified as Curtis Tarver, 38, if there were weapons in the vehicle.

“The driver handed officers a weapon that was in the vehicle, as well as a concealed carry license,” a CPD communications officer wrote in an email. “Further investigation revealed the license was revoked. The subject was taken into custody and charged accordingly.”

Tarver was charged with a misdemeanor for the invalid license. He was also cited for the faulty headlight. He was issued an I-bond (a no-cash bond) and released. A court appearance is set for December 27 at 727 E. 111th St., Chicago.

And then it delves into speculation about why his carry license had been revoked.

* From Rep. Tarver…

On November 18, I was the subject of a routine traffic stop, at which time what appears to have been a clerical error regarding my concealed carry license resulted in my arrest. The facts are clear and supported by documents which I have shared with the Chicago Police Department: In August 2019, my concealed carry permit was renewed through August 2024. Upon receiving notice that concealed carry license was revoked because my Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) had expired I immediately renewed my FOID. The renewal was effective as of November 16. While I had no way of knowing, this renewal purportedly was not yet reflected in Chicago Police Department records. The department acknowledged that my FOID was valid as of November 16. This was two days prior to the traffic stop, indicating that the concealed carry license should also be valid. I fully expect this case will be resolved quickly and without incident.

Like many people in Chicago, I applied for a concealed carry license in order to keep myself and my daughter safe. I take considerable efforts to ensure that I am always in compliance with our state’s laws and following safe practices for handling a firearm. This commitment to stronger gun laws that promote responsible ownership is why I recently voted for the Fix the FOID Act, which cracks down on illegal gun sales, strengthens background checks and closes unnecessary loopholes. I look forward to continuing this work on behalf of our community and focusing efforts to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands.

…Adding… Sun-Times…

Reached Friday morning, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the misdemeanor charge was due to an expired CCL license and that it was “likely a paperwork issue.”