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* UPDATED x1 * Lisa Madigan steps forward

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* It’s been a very long time since legislators and statewide Democratic officials felt secure enough (or, more likely, not scared enough) to introduce or support legislation like this…

Attorney General Lisa Madigan says she supports a bill that would allow voters to recall Chicago’s mayor. But that doesn’t mean she believes Rahm Emanuel should leave office.

Madigan tells WBBM radio’s “At Issue” (http://cbsloc.al/1Ni3lCU ) she also thinks voters should have the power to recall all Illinois elected officials _ herself included.

*** UPDATE *** Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago) has signed on as a co-sponsor of the recall bill. Andrade is facing a primary challenge from the left.

And Dan Proft called on legislative Republicans today to sign on to the bill as well. Rep. Jeanne Ives is now a co-sponsor.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

The “Lisa Madigan for mayor” speculation had already begun in earnest before she did this interview. I have no knowledge about whether she’ll run, but I do know that lots of people have been asking me about it.

* More from that link…

Emanuel has a long and difficult road ahead as he tries to rebuild public trust in the Chicago Police Department and himself, Madigan says.

She says Emanuel’s apology this week and heartfelt words are not enough.

“People are not going to believe that until they actually see real reform and real change taking place. Unfortunately, the type of change that’s needed isn’t going to come quickly or easily,” she says.

As for calls for the mayor to step down, she doesn’t believe that will happen.

* And more from WBBM…

Madigan agrees the video of the Laquan McDonald police shooting should not have been released when it would hamper an investigation, but that time should have been far less than 400 days.

“That would have given ample time for an investigation to take place and certainly ample time, which I think some of the concern is, for the officers to be interviewed and I am sure that happened well before the 400 day mark,” she said.

Oof.

There goes Anita, right under the bus.

* And this shows a better understanding of the situation than whatever I’ve seen expressed by any major white Chicago-area politician in recent days…

Madigan says things like this have led some—especially in communities of color—to see the police as an occupying force and not protectors:

“That belief, that feeling, undermines the majority of men and women in law enforcement who are doing a good job and have integrity and are courageous and putting their lives on the line every single day, but I think the situation we have now is simply untenable,” Madigan said.

* Related…

* Other questionable police shootings claimed lives, cost city millions

* 911 overload — South Side often faces too many calls, not enough cops

* Historic probe of Chicago police expected to be long and costly

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:20 am

Comments

If I could add, this from Futterman, who the whistleblower reached out to and who, along with Kalven and Smith, did the heavy lifting on the McDonald case, while the alleged big-hitters in the Chicago media sat in their high chairs and were spoon-fed Emanuel spin for 400 days.

–(Futterman) believes that the whistle-blowers represent “the majority of Chicago cops,” who are doing their jobs “just as you would want them to.” Those officers “hate this stuff” as much as anyone, because “it creates hostility to the police, and steals the honor of those who are doing things right.” Yet even the best-intentioned officers have to cope with a code of silence—the mirror image of the criminals’ code against snitching.–

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/12/21/bad-cops-good-cops

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:34 am
This culture within the largest police department in the state is not a sudden development.

It has been worsening for years, occurring in part on her watch.

But now that this is a hot topic, she finds her voice on this dangerously flawed system? One she helped oversee and has been a part of?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:36 am
Lisa is simply a smart observer of the situation. I wouldn’t view this as a Machiavellian move towards the 5th floor. I’m sure many folks in her office are disturbed by the current state of affairs and how it’s been handled.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:40 am
Kudos to Lisa for her stand on the issue.

Anyone hear anything on the issue from the Governor?

Comment by low level Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:49 am
It is typical of Proft and similar political gadflies to inject himself to score an easy political shot without any thought to the broader picture or implications.

But it does allow him the chance to hear the sweet sounds of his own voice.

Comment by Adam Smith Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:57 am
Would this bill impact the current term of the mayor? Or, is it only for future Mayors? How will Mr. Ford feel if the bill is amended to include State Reps?

Comment by Not Rich Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:58 am
—
Anyone hear anything on the issue from the Governor?
—

Yeah, he “cried” when he saw the video.

Whatever.

Rauner is about as ineffectual as it gets with stuff that actually matters.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:59 am
Kudos to Lisa, but could she *imaginably* really want to be *Mayor*??

Comment by The Historian Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 11:06 am
Proft went out of his way to support Emanuel just like the rest of the GOP did. They have all been silent on this issue.

Comment by Right on Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 11:29 am
Ford and Ives on the same bill.

smelling salts please

Comment by walker Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 11:34 am
Somebody should tell Proft that the next mayor is likely to be significantly to the left of Rahm.

Of course, I’m not sure he cares. His priority seems to be to hear “Proft said” on the news and to enhance his own business. Oddly considering his professed love for the virtues of capitalism, “winning” does not seem to matter much to him.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 11:37 am
Too little, too late for Laquan and so many others. Everyone involved is just trying to save their own skin at this point.

Comment by Too Little Too Late Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 11:45 am
Shameless pandering.

This call by Madigan would ring a lot truer if she had called for a bill that would allow voters to recall ANY elected official, from dog catcher on up. Wouldn’t get far in the GA, of course, but watching them squirm would be fun.

Comment by Gray Davis Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 11:56 am
Gray Davis, you need to read better:

“Madigan tells WBBM radio’s “At Issue” (http://cbsloc.al/1Ni3lCU ) she also thinks voters should have the power to recall all Illinois elected officials _ herself included.”

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 12:04 pm
Lisa chooses to jump in at Rahm’s weak point. That extends the cycle of pain, while he wants this all to die down. Interesting twist.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 12:28 pm
Dose LM support special prosecutors for police shooting cases?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Another Lisa sighting !

Thinking that if IL had a Democrat AG with a last name other than Madigan, they’d be all over raunner’s apparently illegal violations of his oath of office, the Constitution and State statutes regarding his failure to deliver a balanced budget to the GA after months and months and…. But, maybe, as Ms. More’s campaign suggests in another post: ‘It’s no big deal.’

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Dec 15, 15 @ 8:23 am
= Rep. Jeanne Ives is now a co-sponsor. =

Suddenly any city Democrat with a primary is rethinking their position on the bill.

Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Dec 15, 15 @ 8:29 am