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* The media always gets a little breathless when it comes to anything about Michael Madigan. For instance, here’s a recent CBS 2 headline…

Madigan in Tense Stand Off With Press After Foiled Attempt to Avoid Questions

* But the raw video shows little sign of a “tense standoff”…

* On to a recent Sun-Times front page headline…

THE WATCHDOGS: Top Madigan aide has lucrative side deals with clients that rely on state funding

* From the article…

For 30 years, Steve Brown has been the voice of Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan — a press secretary whose pronouncements often provide the only insight into the thinking of one of the state’s most powerful politicians.

But Madigan’s top aide has never been a state employee, unlike the people handling similar duties elsewhere in Illinois government.

Instead, Brown works for Madigan under a lucrative contract that lets Brown also do consulting work for other clients that rely on Madigan and the Illinois General Assembly for funding, records examined by the Chicago Sun-Times show.

Brown’s clients include a state agency and a state university. They also include a private nurse-assistant training program called New Start Inc. whose state funding more than doubled over two years, records show.

Brown’s contract with Madigan is not a new story. He makes no secrets about it and I found a piece from twenty years ago on the same topic after 30 seconds on the google.

According to the article, Brown’s clients don’t pay him all that much. The most “lucrative” contract reported is $19,200 a year from the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, a client referenced in that above-linked 1995 story.

* What’s supposed to be different about this CS-T story, though, is the allegation that Brown is helping his clients with Madigan…

New Start Inc., the Springfield not-for-profit, which has a $10,000-a-year consulting contract with Brown. New Start was started by the late James Torricelli, a longtime Brown friend, and now is run by Torricelli’s son Steve Torricelli.

In the 2011 budget year, the group got $366,043 in state funding approved by the Legislature to train nursing assistants. Its state funding was increased to $550,698 in 2012 and to $750,000 a year during each of the next two years. […]

Torricelli, New Start’s executive director, says he’s never asked Brown to lobby Madigan or any other lawmakers to fund New Start.

“We speak for ourselves,” Torricelli says. “The biggest role he provides for me is to connect me with people who could help the agency. We started a campus in Chicago. We needed to find a nursing home that would be a partner with us. He had a contact.”

* Brown appeared on WGN Radio yesterday. It’s online headline…

Mike Madigan’s Right Hand Man Responds to Corruption Allegations

Brown said during the interview that the Sun-Times contacted his clients and others and asked all of them whether he did any lobbying with the Speaker and the paper came up empty.

* The Sun-Times editorial today admitted as much…

We certainly can’t prove otherwise.

* But they kept kicking anyway…

This sort of thing is sometimes called “honest graft,” a phrased coined in 19th century New York for a practice honed to an art in Chicago. If you’re a prominent politician or in good with one, you set up a law firm or insurance office or consulting business and the customers roll in, just playing the odds. You don’t have to cross a single ethical line, though the whole point is that some clients hope you might.

Anyway, it’s your turn to discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:12 am

Comments

I never understand the argument “it’s not that much money” in regards to a conflict of interest. Social psychology studies repeatedly show how influenced people are by small amounts of money and gifts.

That said, $20,000 from a single contract isn’t “all that much”? I could pay my rent for a year for that.

As for the story being out there 20 years ago, given everything going on and the upping of Madigans visibility of late, a reminder doesn’t seem untimely.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:16 am
If Madigan doesn’t see any conflict of interest in the Berrios situation, it makes sense that he wouldn’t see any conflict of interest here either. Nonetheless, it is unseemly. Brown — and people in similar situations as him — should be required to fill out the disclosure statements.

Being a contractor as opposed to an employee is just an excuse, similar to saying your personal e-mails cannot be subject to FOIA even if you use them for government business.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:16 am
Without proof this is simply a non-story turned into a headline to attack Madigan. Some Illinois Policy Institute “fellows” have a far more corrupt paper trail than that. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-09-25/news/0809242317_1_town-pacts-school-districts

Comment by Take that Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:18 am
Maybe something; maybe nothing. But it all sounds more like Kass, @chick or IPI Gone Wild.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:18 am
==”Tense Stand Off … After Foiled Attempt”==

“and then the three brave Americans jumped in and subdued the terrorist.”

Comment by walker Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:19 am
Looking at the Appellate Prosecutor’s budget the past few years reveals consistent cuts every year. Not sure what the consulting is for, but it hasn’t translated into favoritism, or so it seems.

Comment by Demise Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:22 am
What a weak article/attack. Like Rich said, this isn’t new and it’s all public information anyway.

Comment by Jordan Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:23 am
LCD,

Without knowing the details of the $20k contract it’s tough to say for sure, but taxes, expenses, etc. The net on that probably wouldn’t pay your rent.

Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:24 am
This article & editorial are a joke; there is no new information in either one- Brown is notoriously open about his work and has more integrity in his little finger than that rag and it’s board combined.

Comment by LBR Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:28 am
LizPhairTax: It would definitely pay mine. If the people that read this blog don’t think $20k/year is a lot of money than that concerns me. That is almost half my annual salary.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:30 am
==Madigan in Tense Stand Off With Press After Foiled Attempt to Avoid Questions==

Don’t miss next weeks ‘Illinois Deathmatch’ where Rauner and the politicians he controls face off with Madigan’s Extreme Operating Warriors in an epic battle that will decide the fate of the free world and democracy as we know it.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:38 am
I have known Steve Brown for over 25 years. Not only is he professional’s professional, he is a man of the highest integrity.

Given how much Mr. Madigan is investigated by the four corners of the 4th Estate, any malfeasance would have been exposed years ago. There is no “there” there. The lazy Sun-Times (and its questionable relationship with the BGA) has become shameful with articles like these.

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:40 am
Another GOP planted story. Like Schock.

Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:41 am
Illinois lawmakers have had plenty of opportunities to enact conflict-of-interest legislation and have conveniently refrained from doing so. Both parties enjoy the status quo and there is little incentive for them to change the system.

Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:45 am
Term limits..get it done

Comment by Very Fed Up Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:50 am
===I never understand the argument “it’s not that much money”===

Several years ago, a longtime friend went into the PR business. He confided that he got paid $25K to write a press release and put together a coalition press conference. About one week’s work.

I almost choked.

There’s a ton of money sloshing around out there. Brownie hasn’t tapped into the main spigot like he surely could have.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:00 pm
==- Very Fed Up - Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:50 am:==

The governor can start with is office. One term perhaps?

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:08 pm
I am disappointed in Brownie. I thought he was different. It turns out he is not. The reason I never went looking for stories like this from 20 years ago is because I never imagined that he would even accept or want to play by different rules from nearly everyone else. Now, I perceive him as another person looking to take advantage of his position as a “public servant” for the sake of money. I’m sorry, Brownie.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:08 pm
To the post, if you’re admitting that your allegations are baseless, like the Sun-Times is, then you should not have printed the story.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:09 pm
===…as a “public servant”…===

Ugh.

Read. Steve Brown is a Contract Employee, not a state employee or public elected servant.

Do you know the difference?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:10 pm
“The media always gets a little breathless…”
Tea calling the kettle…

Comment by Keep It Simple... Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:11 pm
The Brucie effect…everyone looking for “bad” things to support the “corruption” allegations…

Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:12 pm
Maybe we should hold a committee hearing or two to discuss how many breast cancer screenings or hours of daycare could be paid for with all that dough.

Comment by White Denim Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:13 pm
Great story on Brown. Got ethics?

Comment by CryMeARiver Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:15 pm
The Sun-Times got a little National Enguirer-ish with this non-scandal scandal.

Comment by illinoised Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:16 pm
Oswego Willy — Anyone who takes money from the government is a public servant.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:16 pm
– “Tense Stand Off…. After Foiled Attempt….”

And then three brave Americans jumped in and subdued the terrorist.–

A very funny reaction to some ludicrous news writing.

The Brown p.r. biz is old news. Would some rather he was a state employee with 30 plus years toward a pension?

That’s a pretty motley crew of clients if he’s influence peddling.

Thirty years in, and the whole gig doesn’t add up to frat boy or superstar money who just signed on with full bennies.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:16 pm
“We certainly can’t prove otherwise.”

Always the hallmark of journalistic excellence!

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:16 pm
“Ugh.

Read. Steve Brown is a Contract Employee, not a state employee or public elected servant.”

Don’t take the bait. It exposes your irony.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:17 pm
That video was a “tense standoff?” Didn’t seem like it to me.
Just my humble opinion.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:17 pm
===Oswego Willy — Anyone who takes money from the government is a public servant.===

Public Servant, n. A person who holds a government position by election or appointment.

Words matter.

A “contracted service” doesn’t fit into the pervue of the definition.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:19 pm
Hmm, I always thought DCEO and local economic development groups existed to help you find locations and contact “to partners with,” and they do it for free!

Comment by Shemp Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:27 pm
@Very Fed Up 11:50 =Term limits..get it done=

We already have that, voting them out at election

time limits their term.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:39 pm
“Voting them out at election” has worked SO well.

Comment by CryMeARiver Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:41 pm
===“Voting them out at election” has worked SO well.===

What… Those who lost still got seated? That would be news.

(Banned Word)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:45 pm
“Voting them out at election” has worked SO well.

Yep, a representative democracy can be a real bummer.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:45 pm
OW - absolutely right. Now when we look at un-gerrymandered election, the state is about 50-50 Dem/GOP - if anything it tips a bit to the GOP. When we look at the legislature, it’s lopsided Dem. But of course, gerrymandering is this meaningless thing that Madigan fights ferociously to keep…just because.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:50 pm
Speaking very broadly, a lot of these “watchdog” stories have little to no substance beyond a splashy headline.

Comment by PJ Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:58 pm
===Now when we look at un-gerrymandered election, the state is about 50-50 Dem/GOP - if anything it tips a bit to the GOP.===

I dunno if it tips to one of the other. Further, statewide is far different than districts, even “even” districts, given candidates, money spent, local politics and issues…

Why do Republicans win in districts seemingly tailored for Democrats and visa versa?

Statewide numbers prove nothing but statewide tendencies in a local situation with candidates running well beyond district boundaries.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Tense standoff? That looked like a very moderate interview to me. Mike definitely sounded moderate, even when talking about the governor

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:10 pm
lcd, got a source for that number? I would think it would be more like 35 D, 25 R, and 40 I

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Watchdogs!!! “Sun Rises in East”,”Sky is Blue”. Isn’t there some real corruption out there to be looking into? If this is what the Sun-Times thinks is corruption we’re a very lucky state.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:15 pm
@ just me;
i think your example hits the nail on the head, how is a contract employee paid x number of public dollars to flack not subject to foia?
Do i think Brown has the highest integrity, maybe, i don’t know, and exempting him as a contract employee means we won’t. Does he send official communications via email, text?

Comment by amazing Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:22 pm
Somebody wake me when there is a there, there.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Tense? what the heck are they talking about?!? the Speaker was laughing and joking, and explaining in great detail the actions in the Legislature, what the Governor can do, and what truly matters to the people.

the reporters were the ones who were snappish and therefore tense!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Didn’t realize CBS had outsourced it’s website to the second floor.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:36 pm
The “story” was a joke. No allegation (or proof) of misconduct. A page and a half that apparently was intended to apply the Mark Twain maxim “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.” The problem is that it was not even a good story.

Comment by Andy Raucci Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:52 pm
Old Story Blago planted it as well! Get ready for the override!

Comment by Nicky Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:01 pm
The CBS story and the BGA piece amounted to click bait.

When the BGA finally targets some of its deep-pocketed annual luncheon sponsors that are paying the group’s inflated salaries, we’ll know that they’re serious.

Until then?

Piffle.

Comment by David Ormsby Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:08 pm
Unless the Sun Times is going to put the multitude of Rauner business connections of their investors in each editorial they do that either supports Rauner or his initiatives, or trashes Rauner’s opponents and their initiatives, I really don’t want to hear from them about alleged conflicts of interest.

Comment by Michael Westen Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:28 pm
It’s a fair hit. Brown is Madigan’s guy, and he goes after Rauner on the public dime. He isn’t exempt from attacks. This piece highlights that the guy is moonlighting, and that those he represents may get some extra favor because of his affiliations. Will this cause a huge public outcry? Not sure. But it deserves public scrutiny.

Comment by phocion Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:31 pm
Of course he is a public servant. His main salary is paid with public money, is it not?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:41 pm
===Of course he is a public servant.===

Words matter, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:43 pm
Some comments, hinting at corruption under every bed, are nauseating.

Rauner at GTCR was also paid with public funds for years. Would you have applied your standards to him? Was Bruce Rauner, President of GTCR, a “public servant” subject to FOIA on all his other business relationships? Would you even allow him to have other clients, because they might somehow benefit from his government contacts?

How about the other hundreds of entities and contractors paid with government funds, like Catholic Charities?

Such nonsense! Some folks just cannot be comfortable unless they see the worst in everyone associated in any way with government.

We should be thankful and admiring of Steve Brown, because he is so ethical. Not the opposite.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:44 pm
I bet he has provided more bang for the buck for Illinois taxpayers than Linda Lingle has organizing the Governor’s entry in the State Fair parade.

Comment by Blago's Luxurious Grey Mane Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:00 pm
Oswego Willy, I cannot disagree with you more. By your reasoning the behavior and ethics of anyone who is just a contract employee doesn’t matter.

If you’re accepting a paycheck using my taxpayer dollars I demand better, and I don’t think I’m alone in that thinking.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:02 pm
- Just Me -,

The question posed is if Brown is a public servant.

He isn’t. Those contracting him set the parameters of the contracting. That’s it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:10 pm
It clearly states he works for Madigan, not the State.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:56 pm
Does he serve the public?

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:56 pm
===Does he serve the public?===

No, he fulfills the duties of his contract

Public Servant, n. A person who holds a government position by election or appointment.

Brown has been tasked via contract to fulfill the duties required.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:00 pm
==It clearly states he works for Madigan, not the State.==

He is paid with public State money, not paid by Speaker Madigan.

He also works for Speaker Madigan in the Speaker’s role as a public State official.

imho, those things separate this job from one where Mr Madigan personally pays him or he works only for Mr Madigan’s private-sector interests.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:26 pm
F/K/A are you sure? I interpreted it that he wasn’t on the State payroll.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:32 pm
=== I interpreted it that he wasn’t on the State payroll. ===

Correct. He’s a state contractor.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:34 pm
===Correct. He’s a state contractor.===

So IL taxpayers pay for his services?

Comment by MurMan Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:38 pm
Words are important, like Oswego Willy says.

Mr Brown is not a ==public servant==, but he seems to be a ==state employee== under the State Officials and Employees Act.

==”Employee” means (i) any person employed full-time, part-time, or pursuant to a contract and whose employment duties are subject to the direction and control of an employer with regard to the material details of how the work is to be performed or (ii) any appointed or elected commissioner, trustee, director, or board member of a board of a State agency, including any retirement system or investment board subject to the Illinois Pension Code==

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:50 pm
==F/K/A are you sure? I interpreted it that he wasn’t on the State payroll.==

@burbanite - my understanding is that he gets paid using State funds, but not directly from the State. I may be wrong, and the article is not clear on exactly who pays his base salary or whether his health insurance is reimbursed directly by Speaker Madigan, Speaker Madigan’s campaign fund, the House Dem Staff or someone else.

==Brown gets a base salary of $112,500 this year under his state contract. Madigan also has agreed to reimburse him $8,128 this year for health insurance.==

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:55 pm
1. Steve Brown is a “public servant” inasmuch as AT&T or any other company with a state contract is a public servant.

2. It isn’t “moonlighting” if you aren’t an employee.

3. If I understand the definition of “honest graft” correctly, it involved duping corrupt individuals who think that they are buying influence without actually buying any influence. I am okay with tricking corrupt people out of their money.

4. That said, what the S-T is in fact arguing then is that a bunch of prosecutors (mostly Republican) across the state and suburban Republican mayors are corruptly trying to influence the budget process. I find that not only offensive but also preposterous.

5. If this is the best that Goldberg can turn up, they need to stop fighting, ask for a truce, and take whatever deal they can get. Taking cheap shots at staff is silly.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 6:16 pm
YDD, it’s amazing that in 10 years St. Patrick of Fitz never layed a glove on Madigan or his peeps, they’re so corrupt.

John Kass must be proud of that bill of health the Chosen One bestowed upon them.

The Justice Department, FBI, IRS — not a peep, even with Patrick Collins chasing the Leviathan.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 6:52 pm
Don’t forget all the outside consultants and projects already starting without a budget.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 10:58 pm