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* Sun-Times reporter Abdon Pallasch went to House Speaker Michael Madigan’s district and reports that Madigan’s signs are everywhere…
Driving through the 22nd district confirms the outward show of Madigan support. Nearly every lawn on some blocks has the rectangular white signs, positioned perfectly perpendicular to the homes, looking almost in military formation like the tight political organization Madigan runs.
On the 3800 block of West 68th Street, nearly every house has a Madigan sign except two. Those are the homes of Olivia Trejo and Mike Rodriguez, the other two candidates in the Democratic primary with Madigan and Piszczor.
One of the two homes between Trejo’s and Rodriguez’ has a Madigan sign. There are no signs on Trejo’s or Rodriguez’s lawns or windows. No one answered the door at either home, though the television went off at the Rodriguez home after the Sun-Times rang the bell.
* Madigan also hosted a job fair…
Attendees of the DeVry University Job Boot Camp hosted by state Rep. Michael Madigan, D-Chicago (pictured below addressing the crowd at the 13th Ward Office), Alderman Marty Quinn (13th Ward) and state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) learned new ways to improve skills for gaining employment. Topics of the workshop included resume preparation, job interview skill development, job search strategies, social media assistance and professional networking.
“We want to provide people with the tools they need to be prepared for finding good paying jobs,” said Rep. Michael Madigan.
Photo from the event…
Caption?
* So, why is Madigan putting himself through the full program? The man never takes chances and he has a feisty opponent who continues to generate media coverage…
If there are really five candidates in this race for state representative on the Southwest Side, why does only one of them have his own campaign sign on his front lawn?
Candidate Michele Piszczor, 25, says it’s because the only real candidates in the race are herself and Speaker of the House Michael Madigan.
And when Madigan heard she’d be running against him, he drew her neighborhood out of the district, so there’s no point in posting a sign on her lawn — her neighbors can’t vote for her, she said.
“They’re not real candidates,” Piszczor said of the others. “I’m the only legitimate candidate standing up to Mike Madigan,” whom she calls “the most powerful … man in this state.”
* Piszczor sent me this press release over the weekend…
Michele Piszczor, a Hispanic/Polish woman running against Michael Madigan in House District 22 democrat primary race was ambushed at a press conference led by Joshua Hoyt, Chief Strategic Executive of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), on Friday February 10th, 2012 in Chicago. “Mr. Hoyt made several derogatory comments and character assassinations to the media about Jack Roeser, who has not even contributed to my campaign. Hoyt’s group also tried to convince me to donate the few campaign contributions I have received to charity. Hoyt’s group stated that my contributors are ‘dark people’ and ‘spreading hate’ within our community” said Piszczor.
“The ICIRR is attacking people who have a history of providing good jobs to our community”, said Piszczor. ICIRR’s mission is to promote the rights of immigrants and refugees. They provide many free services, which are very temporary. “Some of the people interested in my campaign are people who have great respect for and provide considerable jobs for Hispanics. That is very lasting and empowering for my community” said Piszczor.
* Piszczor posted a video of her confrontation with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights…
* Back to Piszczor’s press release…
Since the video of the press conference has gone viral on the internet Piszczor is getting emails from all over the state. “There are people from all over Illinois - including Republican groups - who are contacting my campaign all of a sudden and want to contribute. Hundreds of Democrats have told me that they can not openly support me and of course that I will not get help from the Democrat Party, since Madigan is the chairman. I believe the anti-Madigan sentiment is rising. Joshua Hoyt’s unscrupulous press conference and obvious pro-Madigan strategy has gotten my campaign rolling full steam ahead,” according to Pizczor.
“For those groups of people, such as Hoyt’s, who think I should donate the contributions I have received in my campaign to charity – I will. However, in order for there to be a level playing field you must get Madigan to donate the 4 million dollars in his campaign chest to charity as well. Madigan goes first. (Hoyt should look at the many contributions Madigan gets from Republicans as well).
Madigan has name recognition, huge amounts of cash, is chairman of the Democrat party and almost NO ONE KNOWS HIM IN THE 22ND DISTRICT. I’m a young Hispanic/Polish female with little money, no name recognition and a huge desire to represent the people of the 22nd district with honor and integrity. There are other so-called candidates in the race. Why didn’t Hoyt get the other candidates to the press conference/ambush? It is because they are fake candidates meant to confuse the voters. It is really pathetic and just another reason why Madigan will go to his deathbed one day with an enormous amount of guilt. With Madigan’s wide-ranging corrupt power and money, why is he (or Hoyt) worried about a little Hispanic/Polish girl anyway?” stated Piszczor.
They may not know him, but they all have his signs in their yards. Just sayin…
* Anyway, Piszczor told me via e-mail this weekend that Jack Roeser will henceforth be backing her campaign. Piszczor reported $5,000 in total contributions yesterday from a Barrington company and a Wheeling CEO.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 11:47 am
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Caption - “Yes, Sir … No, I am actually standing on a box right now…”
The difference between Michael J. Madigan, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives versus, say, an Oswego legislator who loves his golf on Election Day, is seen in those pictures of yard signs and a full court press until the polls close. Keep Swinging, Tom!
Caption for the signs - “Voters in 22nd District lock in Chicago city services for their homes, at least till March 20th.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 11:57 am
==They may not know him, but they all have his signs in their yards. Just sayin…==
C’mon Rich, signs don’t vote. Just sayin’
Should be an interesting month in the 22nd.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:00 pm
Caption - “I think what people don’t know about me is that I am just a warm Teddy Bear … Not the most powerful ‘friend’ you can have in Springfield, or the worst possible Foe you would want to have in the General Asssmebly. (wringing hands) … no more questions then?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:03 pm
This is why the man has been Speaker for nearly 3 decades. He takes every threat seriously, and will outwork his opposition every time.
If you deal with small time opponents like Piszczor early on, you don’t ever wind up in a month out with your opponent suddenly catching fire.
Comment by J Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:10 pm
Piszczor has been the stooge of Jack Roeser’s trainwreck operation from day one. It’s hardly some secret. She just hasn’t been honest. I’ll be surprised if she gets 3% of the vote.
Piszczor could have avoided all this if she had just been honest and run as a Republican with Republican support. Instead she runs a dishonest campaign as a Democrat with Republican support and she wonders why people question her integrity and associates. Crazy.
News flash Ms. Piszczor, Democrats like Mike Madigan and they like the fact he’s the most powerful guy in the state.
Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:13 pm
Madigan is the wisest politician in the history of Illinois politics. He has seen it all and has survived numerous pols and factions who have unsuccessfully tried to take him out. He is taking no chances in this race because that type of planning has gotten him to this point. Also this *take no prisoners campaign* is a good exercise for him to get to know his new voters in the 22nd district and to reconnect with his old 22nd D constituents. Madigan has done a lot of good things for many people in the district that he never brags about of tries to take credit for. He will win big and rightfully so.
Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:20 pm
Yeah everyone keep talking about how hard he works, but gloss over the whole Madigan packing the ballot with false candidates to keep the opposition to his rule from gaining a foot hold. Gee I wonder if any investigative agency would look at the sham candidates.
Comment by Fed up Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:24 pm
===Gee I wonder if any investigative agency would look at the sham candidates. ===
Why? It’s not illegal.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:25 pm
===…but gloss over the whole Madigan packing the ballot with false candidates to keep the opposition to his rule from gaining a foot hold. Gee I wonder if any investigative agency would look at the sham candidates.===
Politics is messy. Your high school civics class, this ain’t. The True Belevers, (TBs), are shocked by the tactics, but they are just that, tactics.
Another tactic; educate the voters, or keep them blind to what you want them blind to.
It’s not personal, it’s business. It’s not civics class, its’ politics.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:31 pm
I have to applaud team madigan for that picture. Yard signs on every front yard in near perfect alignment. That is a sight you would expect to see from a real organization.
Comment by Shore Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:37 pm
===C’mon Rich, signs don’t vote.===
They do in the 13th Ward.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:39 pm
I don’t care that she’s a put-up by the Repubs. It is healthy to make Madigan, or any incumbent, work for his job and not get too comfortable.
Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:40 pm
Caption:
See I own a sweater…
or
What you are not a group of commercial property owners with assessment issues?
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:47 pm
Caption - “Usually when I am up in fromt of people, I call on Leader Currie and then she says something I like, then I call on Representative Lang, and he yells, then we ajourn … “
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:52 pm
Caption - “I see you Bill Black, and in these meetings you don’t get your 5 minutes to yell about me!”
Capition - “Yes young lady, democracy is really important, and all I do with the members of my caucus is remind them of that every day and things seem to go better.”
Caption - “I usually have a Unity Breakfast with my opponents the next morning. We trade stories, they ask for garbage pickup to resume, …its a nice morning.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 12:58 pm
===. It is healthy to make Madigan, or any incumbent, work for his job and not get too comfortable. ===
Totally agree. Nobody owns their seat. Usually when longtime incumbents lose it’s because they feel they already have it in the bag. You gotta work for it every now and then, even if it is only once every 40 years.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 1:15 pm
What the anti-Madigan people from all over don’t realize (because they have never been to his district, and definitely not ever in his district office) is that he is in his district office more than many legislators. When constituents call, they get an answer and usually a positive resolution to an issue.
Piszcor, Roeser et. al can call Madigan names all they want if it makes them feel better, but the voters in that district will vote for him because they view him as responsive.
The mistake that some long time incumbents make is that they stop showing up at local events and they stop paying attention to their voters. I don’t think that is the case here.
Piszcor’s appearance on The Dan Proft show was a train-wreck, if I were Roeser I would have cut her off right there.
Comment by Siriusly Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 2:04 pm
Why is he wearing epaulets? Isn’t that taking the “boot camp” theme a bit too far?
Comment by anonymice Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 2:11 pm
I’m not sure why her campaign put this video up. she looks foolish. She got the signatures, she’s got every right to run and make a good go of it. But naive isn’t even a strong enough word here. Did I hear her demand that Hoyt’s group give her money to defeat Madigan? Whaa? She is either the willing pawn of an expensive Republican prank or, possibly worse, she doesn’t know what she’s being used for.
Comment by just 'cause Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 2:30 pm
Why take any chances? You have an organization, members of whom you’ve been very good to, make them work.
Plus, he’s really not running against Piszcor,anyway (seriously, nobody better?). Roeser’s putting up money (Midas touch in reverse), you know the Trib is going to weigh in, beat their brains out. That’s the Chicago Way.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 2:38 pm
Madigan is striking fear into anyone who dare even try and run in the future. He knows how to play the game better then anyone, this is amateur night for him ! Piszcor better start looking for a job out of state, she will never work in this town!!
Comment by Cmon Man ! Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 2:58 pm
She’s pretty feisty! I suspect Rahm might offer her a spot or she’ll end up working campaigns for the DPI. LOL
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 3:07 pm
pobre Madigan. out meeting people he’s never encountered before and who he may not know how to game. it’s what a candidate should do. whatever. he’ll win.
Comment by amalia Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 3:21 pm
Duh!!! Raising taxes by 67% didn’t seem to help.
Comment by Louie Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 3:36 pm
The trick for Madigan is to up his game without directing too much extra attention to his opponent. If he has any serious concern, it would be low turnout. Since this year’s primary looks to be a yawner on the D side, Michelle’s one, slim hope is to get folks to turn out for her while Madigan’s people stay home. Very unlikely, but it can happen.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 3:36 pm
His captains wont let him down ! We are expected to deliver the votes, thats what makes it the best organization in the state..
Comment by Cmon Man ! Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 3:53 pm
Jack Roeser’s Cash v. Madigan’s Field Operation …
I have been known to favor a field organization from timme to time … so …
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 4:11 pm
I don’t care who you are, or what office you hold, or how long you’ve held it: EVERYONE deserves to have to earn their re-elections once in a while. (In fact, those in senior leadership positions should have to work harder for it than rank-and-file in my opinion.)
“Satan, your kingdom must come down.
Satan, your kingdom must come down.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Satan, your kingdom must come down.
I’m gonna’ pray until they tear your kingdom down.
Pray until they tear your kingdom down.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Satan, your kingdom must come down.”
Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 5:24 pm
A complete waste of money by Roeser, all to make this woman a laughingstock in her own community. Not only will she lose miserably, turnout will actually be driven up for Madigan as voters are educated about the scam (and I’m sure every yard getting a Madigan sign also gets the truth). No one likes to be played the fool by interlopers from the other party.
Good going Republican dimwits.
Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 5:27 pm
As she told me as a pro-life unity breakfast in Crystal Lake, Madigan’s folks are promising lower property taxes.
She asks why he has waited 40 years to do something.
Not a bad question.
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2012/02/06/mike-madigan-primary-opponent-graces-pro-life-breakfast-in-crystal-lake/
Comment by Cal Skinner Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 5:31 pm
I’ve seen the 13th Ward Democrats up close and personal…..BEST run organization in the state by far…..It’s business….not personal…and my hat has been off to them for the last 20 years
Comment by glass half full Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 5:37 pm
And Cal, maybe if she had been honest and not tried to hide the fact she was put up to this by GOP buffoons, maybe someone would have listened to her.
But she didn’t. So no one will. On anything.
Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 5:40 pm
I have no problem with MJM “singing for his supper”.
My issue is that a buch of dopes who can’t decide if they were “with her” (Zahm), “not with her”, (Roeser’s 1st quote), then we are all “how dare you’d” by Zahm and then Roeser in they (Roeser and Zahm) are seperated, but have worked together, but not all the time, but I (Zahm) can speak for him (Roeser), but I am not …
Now we got this fiasco of the party itself being dragged into this, but no one is SAYING the party is involved, because it has now has the perceived view of being slimey and not just politics at play …
ENOUGH!
Shenannigans are not shennanigans when you make others not involved look Dopey.
Whatever you are trying to prove, just claim victory and get off the stage already. I am beyond the embarassment for you all.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 5:41 pm
I have a sign and I live in Springfield. You gotta love “The Speaker”.
Comment by Tom Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 6:09 pm
When this is all over and done with, no one will ever again have the gall or naivete to challenge Madigan in his own backyard. Whether this woman is truly a Democrat who is simply seeking to re-instill old fashioned Democrat values or whether she is simply a Republican shill, the one thing that this election will instill is the hopelessness of trying to remove Mike Madigan from the running of the Illinois Democrat Party. It ain’t going to happen. So, ultimately this young lady will serve Madigan’s long-term defensive purposes well. There should be a sign on her lawn saying “Beware all ye that enter here!”signed Mike Madigan.
Comment by Wilson Pickett Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 6:35 pm
While his opponent is blathering about campaign tactics, Madigan is talking about jobs.
Who exactly is out-of-touch?
Don’t get me wrong, she’ll get more than that crazy 3 percent.
But she is no Kelly Burke.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Feb 21, 12 @ 9:44 pm
If Madigan is so wise and controls IL politics, why is IL so broke.
Comment by Mark Wednesday, Feb 22, 12 @ 3:43 am
A bit over the top there, anon 12:46.
Comment by Phocion Wednesday, Feb 22, 12 @ 6:28 am
Do what you DID, you get what you got.
(It’s early and I’m trying to break the back of my caffeine problem. Grrr…arrgh…)
Comment by Colossus Wednesday, Feb 22, 12 @ 9:34 am