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* This fundraising e-mail from Attorney General Lisa Madigan is prompting even more speculation, if that’s possible, about what she’s up to…
Dear [redacted],
Our state is facing challenging times. Turning around the state of our state will take smart, tough, and effective leadership.
As your attorney general, I have been able to successfully advance and impact change on a host of issues including the national foreclosure crisis, utility rates in Illinois, and protecting our children from sexual predators, internet dangers and unsafe products.
Under my management, the Office of Attorney General has been an engine for revenue. Last year alone, my office generated more than $1.1 billion in revenue using less than $31 million in general revenue funds. That’s a return on taxpayer investment of more than 36 to 1. Since taking office in 2003, I’ve been able to recover more than $9 billion in badly needed funds for our state through litigation and collection efforts, with billions more brought back directly to consumers, including $1.8 billion in relief for Illinois homeowners from the national robo-signing settlement.
I’ve built strong relationships and reached consensus with members of the Illinois legislature – key leadership skills for a state that has a lot of work to do. Resolving issues in this state requires a willingness to sit down, negotiate and compromise with the General Assembly. Over the past ten years, my office has worked with legislators to pass nearly 100 bills on issues such as debtors’ rights, greater protections for elderly residents and victims of crime, and securing healthcare for the uninsured.
Government work is challenging, but it’s not rocket science either. It just takes someone willing to roll up her sleeves to get the job done; someone who can identify our problems, prioritize them, put together a plan to fix them, and then execute that plan. I’ve spent the last 10 years as attorney general doing just that.
With that in mind, I’ve been evaluating how best I can serve the people of Illinois. The impetus for my running for elected office has always been public service. I strongly believe that government has the power to do good when the right people come together for the right reasons. I am confident that I can continue to produce results on behalf of the people of Illinois, but I need your help to ensure I have the financial resources to do so.
Please consider making a contribution of $250, $100, $50 or even $25 by our finance deadline, this Friday, June 28th, to ensure that I have the necessary resources to continue to serve our state effectively.
You make the difference: I need your help to continue to fight the good fight. Please consider making a contribution today. With your support, I can keep pushing for progress.
In the weeks and months to come I look forward to pressing on – with your support – and keeping you posted on the results of my work and decision regarding my next steps.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Lisa Madigan
P.S. To make a contribution today of $250, $100, $50 or $25, click here. Your contribution will have the most impact if received by the end of this week, Friday, June 28th.
* Meanwhile, it must be a slow news week. Sun-Times…
It’s not scientific and it may not even be accurate, but an online poll gauging Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s potential 2014 ambitions represented one of the most interesting nuggets of political news during a quiet day Monday at the state Capitol.
Rich Miller, a Chicago Sun-Times columnist and publisher of the Capitol Fax political newsletter, asked readers of his online blog to weigh in on whether the three-term attorney general would run in a Democratic gubernatorial primary against Gov. Pat Quinn and former White House Chief of Staff William Daley.
By mid-afternoon, a pretty one-sided answer prevailed: No.
Over 100 commenters weighed in, and almost 1500 people wound up voting 60-40 that she wouldn’t run for governor. I’m not so sure that I agree with the vote. We’ll see.
I was also asked to appear on a CLTV show last night to discuss our online poll. I declined. Oscar had his first intermediate puppy lesson at the same time as the show.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:04 pm
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Smart choice re: CLTV. Puppy lessons will always pay off more in the long run than a single public appearance.
Comment by ChicagoR Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:06 pm
That sure sounds like a “running for re-election” email to me.
Comment by Raising Kane Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:11 pm
At this point, I think it’s rather arrogant to ask people for money when you won’t even say what you’re running for.
Politics is challenging but it’s not rocket science, either. Time to roll up your sleeves, prioritize, put together a plan, execute the plan and make up your mind already.
Then, ask for money.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:11 pm
I agree with Raising–she’s running for AG, not Governor.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:12 pm
They grow up so fast.
“Oscar had his first intermediate puppy lesson”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:20 pm
===I think it’s rather arrogant to ask people for money when you won’t even say what you’re running for.===
In general, I tend to agree. However, this wasn’t a random solicitation. This went to a list or previous donors/supporters, so I think she’ll be forgiven for being vague about her intentions by those who got this e-mail.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:20 pm
I’ve heard Intermediate Puppy lessons are a requirement to become a Master Puppy…
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:21 pm
I have to ask: is Durbin locked to run for another term?
Comment by Darienite Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:25 pm
@Darienite, Yes, Durbin said he’s in for another run.
Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:27 pm
Maybe she’s fishing around to see if Illinois will tolerate a binarchy of sorts run by her as governor and dad as speaker.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:30 pm
Online polls should be labeled “for amusement only” , even w the collective expertise of participants here. you made the right call , rich, in attending the puppy class.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:32 pm
That “with that in mind…” paragraph almost makes it feel like the appeal is an attempt to feel out the smaller donors.
Comment by In 630 Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 12:48 pm
So more important than the language is the timing and sense of urgency. Aside from the obvious, she wants to fatten her fund by the deadline why? She certainly doesn’t need to show strength to be AG again. Showing strength doesn’t matter if she runs for Gov. Quinn is in and I don’t think big numbers will scare off Daley, the presumption is that she’ll outraise them both. There is an argument that raising money BEFORE she announces a re-election allows those who want to sit on the fence to write the check. I don’t think anyone will seriously feel that she needs another dime if she runs for reelection against…..”Insert name here”, but there are probably a lot of folk who will want to by their inauguration tickets early if she decides to step up in weight class.
Comment by In the know Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 1:34 pm
Does anyone know if the Gov has had his intermediate puppy lessons?
Comment by Hank Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 1:36 pm
Hank,
Is he even housebroken?
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 1:49 pm
= It’s not scientific and it may not even be accurate =
So why is the Sun Times’ Statehouse chief giving it space on his blog?
It may be a slow news day in the Stratton Building compared to when the GA is in town, but there are plenty of more newsworthy items to write about. This blog’s publisher shows us that every day.
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 1:57 pm
“…when the right people come together for the right reasons.”
It makes me cringe when officials use phrases like that. Who are the “right people” and what are the “right reasons?” The implication is “my people” and “my reasons,” which sounds arrogant.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 2:03 pm
This will-she-or-won’t-she routine is the best earned media campaign ever. If I were her, I don’t think I’d declare until December.
Comment by Century Club Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 2:09 pm
47, at this point, I think she digs the drama. I don’t see the advantages of holding off.
Or maybe she’s indecisive. But I suspect it’s the drama.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Not running for Gov. Never planned to run for gov. She just loves all the attention.
Comment by Count on it Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 2:37 pm
Lisa argued to the Supreme Court that an enumerated right within our Federal Constitution simply didn’t apply to Illinois government.
And this is a lady that anyone would support for governor - much less another round as AG?
Really?
Comment by Ummmm Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 3:00 pm
I’ve done that CLTV show many times. You made the right call on that one.
In terms of this email, umm, which part of “I’m running for governor if you give me money” is unclear to people? Can you imagine what her supporters will do if she decided no? Total betrayal. My vote is still that she’s in. This just reinforces.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 3:07 pm
–In terms of this email, umm, which part of “I’m running for governor if you give me money” is unclear to people?–
Where to you see that?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 3:14 pm
Rich you should have taken PQ with to Oscar’s first lesson. Of late there appears to be a lot of wet newspaper around his office floor.
Comment by Rolo Tomassi II Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 3:30 pm
Good choices Rich.
Hint at news, avoid the press.
More like Mike every day.
Comment by walkinfool Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 3:39 pm
Doesn’t strike me that it’s particularly hard to read between these lines:
“…With your support, I can keep pushing for progress.
In the weeks and months to come I look forward to pressing on – WITH YOUR SUPPORT - and keeping you posted on the results of my work and DECISION REGARDING MY NEXT STEPS.”
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 3:40 pm
Come on, why is there still speculation? If she was in then 14 counties would be locked up already and she would have been on the circuit last spring. I remember when she ran the first time, it was as Sun-Tzu wrote, be like the river crashing through the canyon…..
Comment by LaySale Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 3:57 pm
===I remember when she ran the first time===
She didn’t formally announce until August of 2001 http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-08-17/news/0108170389_1_mayor-richard-m-daley-madigan-bill-daley
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 4:08 pm
Rich,
I’m with you on this one - I don’t agree with the CapFax commenter poll. What percentage do you give the likelihood that she’s in?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 4:15 pm
85
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 4:17 pm
Yup. I have it at 85-90.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 6:12 pm
I wish I was an 85% optimist but it feels like hope is slipping away. There is lots of groundwork that has to happen to run….more than just fundraising. I just hard to keep that quiet if it’s going on,. Anyway, I hope I am wrong but I think those of us who want her to win are in for a big let-down.
Comment by Raising Kane Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 8:26 pm
– There is lots of groundwork that has to happen to run….more than just fundraising.–
She had nearly $4.5 million in the bank at the end of last quarter and wants more.
If she’s banking that kind of coin for a slam-dunk AG race, that’s kind of greedy.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 25, 13 @ 10:21 pm