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* Dave McKinney interviewed several Madigan family members back in 1998 after Lisa Madigan defeated Sen. Bruce Farley, a former Speaker Madigan lieutenant. The Sun-Times has reposted Dave’s story. Here’s an excerpt about the run-up to the Farley challenge, but go read the whole thing…
But gathered with her family a few months later at Trattoria Roma, an Italian eatery a block from Mike Madigan’s alma mater, St. Ignatius High School, she sprung her political plan.
“I didn’t think anything of it,” the speaker said. “I discouraged it for several months. Then, after maybe three months, I finally relented and agreed. ‘OK, we’ll try and do this.’ But I laid out for her what kind of nightmare I was going to go through.”
She made a strong case to her father.
“It was mainly a very fatherly reaction. His concern, which he is absolutely correct about, is I will . . . end up bearing the brunt of his enemies. People who can’t attack him will attack me. I said, ‘OK. I recognize that. I think I have the strength to deal with that.’ ”
* A father/daughter pic from the old days…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:00 pm
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He’s lucky to have her in his family.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:02 pm
I’ll second Amalia’s comment.
And we are lucky to have her. One can’t help but imagine what more she may have already achieved of her own volition if she didn’t have to account for Daddy’s own agendas and pursuits.
She is talented and intelligent.
She is now also being held back by her father’s selfishness.
He’s only had 3 decades of power. It was time for someone else (Lisa) to shine in the sun.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:08 pm
Hello world, this is my daughter Lisa. She will be not only the first woman Illinois Governor, but the first woman President. G’head Lisa, practice that smile I taught you.
Comment by Dirt Diver Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Despite all the current hoopla I think that’s a sweet picture of a little girl and her dad.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:18 pm
I can’t help but thinking that they’ll both look back at those days with fondness since I doubt that the future holds much of a positive nature for either of them. I suspect that Dad will wind up disgraced and go down in history as one of the worst leaders we’ve ever had in Illinois. Once Dad is out of the picture, it won’t be that long before she gets ejected as well.
Comment by David P. Graf Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:19 pm
Property tax appeals will still be there for Lisa when the old man finally steps down from running his law firm. MJM is a multimillionaire because of the hard work he’s done and Lisa will take over the family business.
Comment by Nickypiii Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:19 pm
Cute photo.
Although some bitter Republicans might say it’s a movie poster from an Omen sequel.
Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:25 pm
===I suspect that Dad will wind up disgraced and go down in history as one of the worst leaders we’ve ever had in Illinois.===
Based on …what exactly?
MJM was not around when anything good was done? No Illinois citizen can point to legislation brought out of the General Assembly, ever, that was good for Illinois during the time MJM was Speaker?
Goodness gracious, this is why My Party loses!
If you have issues with Dems, or the Speaker, Cullerton, get in line!
These blanket statements/pronouncements spoken and heard in echo chambers fall on deaf ears when reminded not every single thing was always bad, ever.
These statements, for me, remind me of how far we must go in proving that ILGOP is an alternative to the Dems, by not going to extremes and saying all is bad, ever, and not by talking ourselves into a corner of “disgraced” because it makes us feel good to …hate.
Yikes.
For a good chunk of Madigan’s tenure as speaker, we had a Republican governor in Illinois, so all the legislative “good” Thompson, or Edgar, or Ryan ever got done, went through the MINORITY party in the Illinois House, bypassing MJM?
“Fire Madigan” if it makes you feel better I guess …
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:30 pm
Is that Quinn in the background over Mike Madigan’s right shoulder? Photo bomb old style from Pat Quinn since he can’t seem to be centerstage when either of the Madigan’s are involved in something.
Comment by East Central Illinois Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:31 pm
who is the guy doing a photo-bomb in the background ?
Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:31 pm
Photobomb!
Comment by Highland, Il Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:33 pm
Is the guy to the right of Mike Madigan’s right shoulder Jon Burge??
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:33 pm
FKA, are you saying that havingMike Madigan as a father held her back?Puh-lease.
Comment by James the Intolerant Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:33 pm
Wow “formerly known as” that is a bold statement. Let’s not forget Lisa was a state senator from 1998-2002, and then ran statewide after only four years and won. Barack Obama was a State Senator for eight years, and he got crushed by Congressman Bobby Rush in the 2000 Democratic Primary before that. You go with the good and the bad. Has there ever been another state senator or state rep. since since Mike Madigan has been speaker that ran statewide after only serving a four year term and won?
Comment by anonymous Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:36 pm
From the pic, it would appear the Speaker started holding her back at young age. That’s an iron grip if I ever saw one.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:38 pm
What a great photo!
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:40 pm
==And we are lucky to have her. One can’t help but imagine what more she may have already achieved of her own volition if she didn’t have to account for Daddy’s own agendas and pursuits.==
Seriously? I like her too, but there are thousands of women just as bright and just as talented that aren’t where she is because Mike Madigan is not their father. By the way, do you think it is next to impossible to pass a bill through the House the AG opposes just because she works the chamber so well. I don’t think so.
Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:42 pm
=== What a great photo!
===
And an even better news article - a side of the Speaker and Lisa that you never usually get to see.
Comment by Fred's Mustache Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:47 pm
All these people pushing the idea that Lisa is being “held back” by her father really need to look at the whole picture. If she were Lisa Jones, she would never have been elected to the Senate, which led to her run for AG. She has been blessed with great advantages because of her father, and any decisions about his retirement are and should remain his alone.
Comment by Snucka Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:47 pm
“Luke, I AM YOUR FATHER.”
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:55 pm
This picture makes me kind of sad for them, and I am not really sure why.
Comment by Centennial Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:56 pm
The last few weeks of reading the newspaper has made me realize I am sick of both of them.
Comment by Meanderthal Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:58 pm
Best tidbit from the story, by far, is that John Fritchey was quoted not just as a legislator, not just as a former high-school classmate, but also as an ex-boyfriend.
Comment by ILPundit Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 3:01 pm
Exactly ILPundit. Can you imagine getting the third degree from him of all people while waiting in the living room to take out his daughter?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 3:15 pm
What enemies of Mike attack Lisa (because they cannot attack the Speaker)?
Comment by Ouch Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 3:20 pm
Rich: How can we miss them if they won’t go away?
Puhleeze, waxing nostalgic about the Madigans?
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 3:35 pm
For better or worse, he’s the guy who holds things together in Springfield such as they are. We’re the ones who send him the ingredients. How well have we all done? He will be known by a number of very grateful and very observant people who pay close attention as a guy who prevented a lot of bad and dopey policies from seeing the light of day. He’s been a filter for some pretty idiotic ideas. He’s been stable, but has shown some flexibility. Without balance from the other party (mine, unfortunately)the balance point is the middle of his party. Once Cullerton learns to choose his battles just as carefully, he’ll provide some stability too. The only reason he’s where he is has a lot to do with MJM too, for all of you who love his compromise that doesn’t save nearly enough money to stave off another fight within 5 years. Constitutionality is a red herring that will be decided by another group of fishermen. Once we provide some balance, we’ll have some. Until then, thank God MJM controls his own “think tank”. He’s no hero and he’s no villian. Just a speaker taking a long turn compliments of the electorate and the reps they send him.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 3:48 pm
===Has there ever been another state senator or state rep. since since Mike Madigan has been speaker that ran statewide after only serving a four year term and won?===
Maybe Peter Fitzgerald but he may have ran twice. Actually Dan Hynes just skipped all that state rep-senator stuff and went right for comptroller and won. Of course we all know his father was of no help since he had already retired.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 3:56 pm
To Oswego Willy…you address just the ILGOP? Seriously? With all due respect, that turn around effort involves much more than the ILGOP. The fruit is a result of the tree.
Citizens United, while the Democrats may bash it rhetorically, may be the best thing to happen for them. Never stop an opponent from beating themselves.
The rabid, venomous billionaires running the GOP “message” will not go quietly into the night. They will continue to buy the megaphone whether they are invited to back room strategy sessions or not. No, the ILGOP are but a small symptom of a spreading disease. And, step one is always identifying the problem.
Free markets really do sort the wheat from the WHIG.
Comment by nothin's easy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:06 pm
A guy: How long have you been on the Speakers staff?
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:25 pm
- nothin’s easy -
I would respond to you, but your post makes no sense to me, nor do I understand the context as I have read it 3 times trying to see what your referecnes are …
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:29 pm
=== A guy: How long have you been on the Speakers staff? ===
Loop Lady, -A guy- said he was a Republican (possibly Oswego Willy?). There are people out there who feel differently about the Speaker than you do. Not all of them work on the Speaker’s staff.
Comment by Fred's Mustache Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:33 pm
Loop Lady, I’m in the other party. It’s not easy to be there these days, but an honest assessment helps. I would advise my own party to adopt some of the better practices of the opposition. We used to have a huge money advantage. That’s evaporated. Why? Our message followed the money. Their message was passed on door to door a voter at a time and guess what? The money followed their message. Organizations win a lot more often than money does. There’s nothing more powerful than an army of “unpaid” volunteers. It’s a lot easier to figure out where their motivation comes from. So, I’m not a staffer, but a very observant guy in the opposite party who can take an honest view. Prove I’m wrong or go knock on a few doors.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:35 pm
Thanks for the link - I enjoyed the article & I wish Lisa the best in whatever path she chooses after her fourth term as AG.
Comment by Illinoisan Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:35 pm
- Fred’s Mustache -
- A guy… -, ain’t me …
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:36 pm
No one is Willy but Willy. Isn’t it possible there are two smart guys in the GOP?
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:36 pm
===No one is Willy but Willy.===
My family, Jason Plummer, and Tom Cross are quite thankful for that …
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:43 pm
Haha I know guys, Im just kiddin
Comment by Fred's Mustache Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:43 pm
@JtI - I am not saying that having him as her father held her back in the past. I stated that it is “now” holding her back from pursuing the office of Governor.
And had her father not been Speaker, the AG’s office may well have pursued a few more corruption investigations in recent years (in addition to those pursued by State’s Attorneys, etc.). In that regard, our state has most definitely missed out.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 4:54 pm
Can anyone help to explain - nothin’s easy -’s post?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 5:01 pm
Being Mike Madigan’s daughter certainly helped Lisa Madigan land a full-time job at the City Colleges of Chicago. How many assistant deans were hired with nothing other than a baccalaureate degree? Nice work if you can get it. Awfully convenient that her hours allowed her to attend law school more or less simultaneously.
Comment by Aw Shucks Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 5:25 pm
Fred: I guess I am just tired of his ego and style dictating the legislative agenda in this state…time for a change in leadership…
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 5:37 pm
Neither one of them are kids anymore.
I’m more than a little repulsed by those who view everything through a “family lens,” or are so simple-minded that they somehow think MJM is “Vito” and Lisa is “Michael.”
Illinois attorney general sounds like a big deal, but powerful it is not. The budget is about $80 million a year.
Plus, most of the duties, by law, are a hodgepodge of consumer activities.
You can’t chase a lot of gangbangers, Outfit guys and crooked politicians on $80 million a year without the IRS or FBI on your side. Give me a break.
Speaker of the Illinois House is a significant job, and Madigan does it better than anyone.
But he ain’t governor, and I don’t think he scared Pate too much. I don’t think he’s scaring Cullerton too much right now, either.
The Madigan Dynasty talk is just lazy. Good for them, because the perception gives them much more power in some circles than they have.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 6:16 pm
That article points out three instances where Madigan helped his step-daughter get a job: with Paul Simon, the City Colleges, and the State Senate. 4 years later, he helped her get a fourth job as AG. I am not crying for her no matter how “talented and intelligent” she is, because now she wants to conjure up a conflict of interest she could not see as long as 12 years ago or as recently as two weeks ago. She has everything in her life because of who her mother married. This election was going to be different. Very different. Having never had to work hard to accomplish somthing on her own, she did not want to start now. Hard to see it any other way.
Comment by Nickname Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 6:34 pm
- Nickname -,
MJM never referred to Lisa MADIGAN as a step-daughter, nor should you. Bad form, reeking of someone who lacks respect for a family, and family and I feel sorry for you.
The Farley race, she had to win, and it was hard work, maybe you are so short-sided in your anger and frustration in your lot in life, but to say she didn’t worked to win that senate seat is off-base.
Joe Birkett tried everything and anything to beat her. Like you, Mr. Birkett showed a complete lack of class and respect, and got beat by someone who just worked too hard to overcome her “advantages” and that just irked Birkett … kinda like you.
As for the Simon, or the City College, Lisa went overseas and taught school in Aprthied South Africa, which I guess is a cushy “cake” job as well, something most “kids” do, I mean, why wouldn’t you want to be in a country that restricted freedom based on the color of your skin, even thought you were born there …
I am embarrased as a member of the GOP I have to remind sad individuals the record of a Democrat because then all I hear is “RINO” “Combine” and all the garbage that goes along with people bitter, and part and parcel with Litmus Tests and Blood Oaths becuase I should know all Democrats are evil.
Embarrassing post, - Nickname -, but I bet it felt good to hit “Say It!”
Dope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 6:51 pm
Oswego Willy - Can you say with a straight face that Lisa Madigan would have won that senate race without her Dad’s backing? I’ve voted for her because the alternative was even worse but she’s been MIA when it comes to fighting corruption in Illinois. Right? I know people who know her directly and I have been told that she is smart and she does care. Even so, she hasn’t done the job that I would’ve expected of her. It’s not sour grapes to say that we deserve someone better than her. And, unfortunately, it’s probably just as true that her eventual replacement probably isn’t going to be that much better either.
Comment by David P. Graf Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 10:14 pm
===Can you say with a straight face that Lisa Madigan would have won that senate race without her Dad’s backing?===
Can you say with a straight face most of the Mushrooms in the Illinois House or the Illinois Senate would be seated if not for the Caucuses they fall into’s backing?
Bruce Farley, while a fun, nice, guy, was vulenrable. Lisa Madigan worked hard, understood the district, and was very present as the state Senator, serving her constituents well.
===but she’s been MIA when it comes to fighting corruption in Illinois. Right?===
Yikes! Read the Illinois Constitution and read the part that describes, in detail, the role of the Illinois Attorney General.
This idea, from anyone who is ignorant to the roile of the Attorney General brings up this “Elliot Ness Crimefigher” of corruption that is just not there.
It was not there for Jim Ryan, and it is not there for Lisa Madigan. Understand the office, than critique base on what is required by the law.
===Even so, she hasn’t done the job that I would’ve expected of her.===
Then, that is on you, not her. you have an opinion, and with the “even so” added in, it appears even those around her and you say different, your opinion is what it is, which means it is on you, and your criteria, not what others may see or believe, or even the state Constitution.
===And, unfortunately, it’s probably just as true that her eventual replacement probably isn’t going to be that much better either.===
If you still have these beliefs of what you think an Attorney General is suppose to do, and that is in contrast to what the Illinois Constitution says is the requirements, then yeah, you will believe anyone after Lisa is not going to be much better.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 10:36 pm
@Oswego Willy:
So teaching in a high school classroom in South Africa for two semesters qualifies you to be a college dean when all of the other job applicants had postgraduate degrees and experience in higher ed?
What are we to make of Lisa Madigan’s claim that her office can waive its duty to defend Illinois laws that she regards as unconstitutional?
Comment by Aw Shucks Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 11:57 pm
“She didn’t want to work hard”. LOL. Keep thinking that. I think “AG” Joe B. himself may have a different opinion.
The name may get you a seat at the table, and maybe a good number of chips, but only she could play the hand.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 5:33 am
I still would love to know who that guy is in the background. Does anyone know?
That is hilarious!
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 5:44 am
- Aw Shucks -,
Since I am not in the HR Department of the City Colleges, I can’t say if her work overseas qualified her.
I feel bad for you, being so bitter. When was the City College gig, like … 15 years ago? You might want to let that go.
As for Lisa not “doing her job”, that is why we have elections. Feel free to vote for whomever runs aagainst Lisa and have your voice heard!
I wish you the best on dropping all the anger you have been holding for over a decade. Try long walks, maybe running if you are up to it, but holding on to this after so long is probably not the healthiest thing to do.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 7:35 am
AG may not be “powerful”, but any person who holds that office for 16+ years is set for life. In addition to being a Madigan, her time as AG opens pretty much any door she’d like opened in the legal world.
In certain circles, Lisa’s independence is way overstated. Politically, she is just another member of the Mike Madigan organization. She will run for Governor if and when her father gives her the OK.
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 7:46 am
I should add - Lisa’s critics also tend to way overstate their objections to her successes. I have little patience for those who decry “nepotism” when it comes to elected office. I would never fault anyone for seeking public office, nor for supporting their relatives. Voters were free to choose Farley, Birkett, Schmidt or anyone else who ran against Lisa.
She does a good job as Attorney General, and she got that job because of Michael Madigan. So while, in 2013, one could argue that Mike should step aside so that Lisa can run for Governor, one should also keep in mind that Mike’s political power is the main reason she’s in position to run for Governor at all.
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 7:58 am
Oswego Willy - I have to admit that I was wrong about her not doing anything against public corruption. You can read online a statement from her detailing her actions. It’s at http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2013_03/20130328.html . I would say that she hasn’t done nearly enough but she has done something. However, to tweak you a bit, it does seem that you and Lisa disagree about the role of the Attorney General.
That’s made even clearer at her office’s website which describes the history of the AG’s office. That can be read online at http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/about/history.html . And so, thanks to you I have learned something new and I say that without sarcasm. However, I still wonder if secretly you enjoy riling others up. 
Have a good rest of the day and I mean that sincerely!
Comment by David P. Graf Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 8:21 am
- David P. Graf -,
Remember, I learn here too.
When a dialog can have learning be a part of the the process here, then we are all better for it. There have been way too many times I have walked away learning somehting I hadn’t known and feel better that someone took the time to honestly have a discussion not rooted in talking points.
Every Attorney General, and especially the last two, Jim Ryan and Lisa Madigan went down the “crime” rabbit hole, only to have to backtrack from the “full court press” of corruption-fighter. It’s the “dead-end” part of the job that candidates for the office, those critical of the office holder, and even fans of the office holder walk into constantly.
I have enjoyed our back and forth, no snark.
Have a good day, with respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 8:30 am