* Speaker Madigan talks to the media after this morning’s hearing of the Executive Committee, which approved Madigan’s campaign reform proposals on a partisan roll call. The reporters pressed him pretty hard and Madigan did his best to remain on message and avoid answering whatever he could. Check it out…

* Earlier, the Speaker and GOP Rep. Ed Sullivan went head to head over Madigan’s decision to remove the caps in the originally approved bill on leader committees. Watch it…

From the Tribune…

Rep. Ed Sullivan, R-Mundelein, asked Madigan “is there a reason we went backwards” from the earlier measure that limited leadership contributions to $90,000 per year. Sullivan said the current situation makes it appear that leaders who donate large amounts to lawmakers’ campaigns control how those lawmakers vote.

Madigan responded “if you want to deal on appearances, go ahead, do what you want to do. That’s what you’ll do anyhow.”

Madigan then suggested to Sullivan that he make that argument directly to individual lawmakers who receive party funds. “Are you controlled by somebody else?” was the question suggested by the Speaker. It’s worth a watch.

* Peter Bensinger, co-chairman of Change Illinois, testifies to the committee…

* Madigan’s testimony…

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