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A happy 75th birthday to longtime Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, who came into this world on April 19, 1942, according to his official bio.

The World War II baby was first elected to the House in November 1970 and convinced his Democratic colleagues to elect him speaker in 1983 (he was minority leader or majority leader for six years before that). As is often mentioned, Madigan has served as speaker for all but two years since then. (The Newt Gingrich-led GOP landslide in November 1994 swept Democrats out of power, but Madigan rebounded in 1996 to regain control of the chamber.)

If Madigan keeps control of the House and his chief nemesis, Republican Gov. Rauner, wins re-election next year, their historic stalemate conceivably could last through 2022. The speaker would turn 80 that year.

Rauner, for the record, just turned 61.

* A birthday caption contest is in order…

*** UPDATE *** From the ILGOP…

Mike Madigan is 75 years young today!

We’re celebrating here at the ILGOP by reflecting back on everything that Madigan has done for our state. He’s spent over half of his life - 46 years to be exact - in the Illinois political system. So what has he brought to IL?

* massive job losses
* record income tax hikes
* highest property taxes in the country
* worst state pension crisis in America

Let’s band together to tell Madigan how we really feel on his special day. Sign our card here.

Thanks,

Team ILGOP

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:04 am

Comments

Aaahhh, I long for the good old days Jimmy. You remember, when opposing sides could sit down like adults and hammer out a budget deal instead of one side taking hostages and demanding total capitulation.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:10 am
“At least I didn’t do a last minute fly-around with him…”

See y’all after lunch - OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:10 am
“Indeed, these cannabis lapel pins work wonders for the birthday blues. In fact, they keep me perky enough to deal with Bruce’s campaignin’.”

Comment by Grimm Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:11 am
“No, Jim, we’re singing in the key of D.”

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:13 am
I don’t care how old I get Jim, I will never have a use for any sort of rascal.

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:13 am
nostalgic for the days when combatants were not mortal enemies

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:14 am
“God, I miss you.”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:15 am
How about we ramp up these festivities?

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:16 am
Jim Edgar: “I wish I could quit you.”

Comment by BrokebackCapitol Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:17 am
You are still around?

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:18 am
Edagr: Hey Mike, good to see you. You still working here?

Madigan: I come with the building.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:26 am
Edgar: Mike, I hope we’re doing a good job making a better world for you and Keith Richards.

Comment by jerry 101 Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:27 am
At least you were smart enough to bring an apple whenever we had a lunch meeting.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:28 am
Originally I had 30 presents on my wish list. I’ve narrowed it down to four now.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:28 am
Glenn who?

Comment by Well then Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:34 am
Edgar: “Mike, I’ve attributed one of my bypasses to you. What FCC friendly term would Bruce use to describe what you’ve given him?”

Comment by Smitty Irving Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:34 am
Mike- You complete me.
Jim- Stop it just stop it you had me at hello.

Comment by DuPage Bard Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:35 am
Are you buying dinner at Saputo’s tonight?

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:40 am
“You don’t bring me flowers…anymore.”

Comment by d.p.gumby Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:42 am
MM: “That buying up vendor’s debt is a pretty good gig.
Edgar: “Yep and it’s the only thing I like about Rauner.”

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:45 am
Edgar: My god — you haven’t aged a day… but your portrait on the wall… seems to be getting older!…

Comment by Ed Higher Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:47 am
To the update:

Stay classy ILGOP.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:52 am
Edgar: “You can’t seem to get along with that tall drink of water.”

Madigan: “I got along better with the Long Nine.”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:53 am
Being Governor is overrated.

Comment by Horst Cabal Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:53 am
Edgar: “That’s a pretty dull tie for a birthday boy.”

Madigan: “It’s from the Strom Thurmond collection.”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:54 am
Edgar: “Still no eyeglasses, Mike. How do you do it?”

Madigan: “I see what I wanta see.”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:57 am
>Team ILGOP

Cohesive, consistent message.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 9:59 am
“Governor, that’s quite a head of gray hair you have there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your role in turning it gray.”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:02 am
Or, in the spirit of the day, perhaps I should have said, well-worn.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:02 am
Edgar: “My boutonniere is Chinese ginseng.”

Madigan: “I scraped mine off the north side of Mike Frerichs.”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:02 am
To the update: When did class and humanity entirely depart from political staff?

Comment by walker Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:02 am
To the update.

Ouch!

Comment by No Longer a Lurker Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:03 am
I hear Rauner is your primary objective Jim

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:06 am
MJM: “Ready to come back Governor?”
JE: “Ready to retire Mr Speaker?

Comment by walker Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:06 am
GOP Staying Classy

Comment by Come on Man! Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:31 am
I’ve evolved on this issue, but this is as far as I’m willing to go promoting Same Sex Marriage.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:32 am
Dear ILGOP,
Happy balanced budget day!!!
2 years in the Governor’s mansion and $8 billion increased deficit lifting our state to prosperity!!!

Comment by Illinois O'Malley Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:43 am
MJM: Rauner hates you too? I thought it was just me.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:44 am
What do you mean I sound like DNC Chairman Tom Perez, Mr Speaker?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:48 am
Dear ILGOP,

In January 1983, when Madigan became Speaker, there were 4,882,359 people employed in Illinois. In January 2017, there were 6,147,605 people employed in Illinois. That is an increase of 1,265,246. Is that how you define massive job losses?

Comment by GV Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:51 am
“May your next 46 years in the Illinois political system be as productive as the last!”

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:54 am
MJM- “Yea, I’ve had worse.”

Comment by Boone's is back Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 10:59 am
Stay the course Mr Madigan

Comment by Shrek Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:02 am
Chaperoning these spring senor proms together is always fun, Jim.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:04 am
BlinkyJim: “hey did you see Celini still leasin’ buildin’s to the state for inflated prices.
Madigan: Guess that means not everything was shaken up.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:04 am
How about that Lucky Pierre, huh ?

Comment by Redraider Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:12 am
Edgar: Imagine what would happen if you announce your retirement! Without “Blame Madigan” my party might actually turn back to the issues.

Madigan: I can’t decide which part is less likely.

Comment by Notacop Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:14 am
It’s as if the ILGOP is unaware Madigan has served more years under a republican Governor than a Democratic one.

Comment by Union Man Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:29 am
Am I the only one who thinks what the ILGOP did there was classless?

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:32 am
75 is well past retirement age and it’s time to step aside.

Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:34 am
To Ahoy! I’m relieved that you know what age is well past retirement age. Please share your formula so I can see if I also qualify.

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:41 am
Madigan: “Now fold your hands like this.”

Edgar: “Hey, Mike! Remember, I’m not governor any more.”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:47 am
Reopen the opera house so the state can get something done happy B Day and many more.

Comment by Red Rider Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:58 am
“To get along, you go along.”

“I hear Bruce blames me for your heart surgery, climate change, Pearl Harbor, Donald Trump, and new coke.”

“How would you like to make a comeback Jim?”

Comment by Jc19pd2 Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 12:10 pm
=Am I the only one who thinks what the ILGOP did there was classless?=

No, you are not the only one.

Comment by MSIX Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 1:10 pm
Edgar - I see you have a caption contest going with your old intern, Rich Miller.
Madigan - For the last time, you know he never worked for me.
Edgar - Did you see the update?
Madigan - Yeah.
Edgar - I can see why you don’t trust the governor, not a gracious bone in his body. It really wouldn’t have been too hard to wish you happy birthday, but he had to elbow in on your day.
Madigan - It is going to be a long 4 years. I wish we had a reasonable person to work with. What happened to the old days when political foes could still work together for the good of the State?

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 1:19 pm
We always had a budget when IL still worked, until this =@#&% got elected by being not-quinn.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 1:22 pm
Edgar- Wasn’t that ramp was a great idea! We claim a surplus and it won’t be until long after we retire that they discover that pensions will eat up 25% of state revenue.

Madigan- I never retired

Edgar- Whoops

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 1:53 pm
Those were the good old days my friend we thought would never end….

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 2:01 pm
FWIW( probably nothing)

The ILGOP response is classless, rude, and unneeded. They don’t speak for me, which is why I didn’t vote for any of their candidates this time around. Speaker Madigan has devoted his life to public service and we should respect that even if we don’t agree with his beliefs and priorities. Until we stop the 24/7 drive by insults, we will get nowhere in solving our budget crisis.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 2:19 pm
“People thought WE battled?!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 2:40 pm
“I here that ‘Dad’s Home State’ is looking for both of us to do cameos. I’ll do it if you will…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 2:41 pm
“I know, me too, I tried to warn Durkin and Radogno… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 2:42 pm
“Governor, I’ll get you the $7 million, just get on the ballot, stir the pot, give a speech or three… you don’t have to win, just annoy thru March… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 2:44 pm
“Nah. We agree. Rod is worse in a whole different way… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 3:05 pm
ILGOP are you serious? So petty, unnecessary and uncalled for!

My first reaction to the picture: Who’s funeral?

Comment by BBG Watch Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 3:16 pm
“Jim, don’t get me started on Evelyn. The liability insurance alone would blow your mind… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 4:02 pm
Pretty sure if Madigan were a Republican the national GOP would be looking at IL’s flat relatively low income tax rate and bending over backwards trying to justify what a fiscal economic miracle IL has been.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 4:24 pm
“Ken Dunkin? Won’t see him no more… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 4:27 pm
“I know he’s not a Democrat, and Jim, Rauner doesn’t dounf like a Republican either. What would you call him?

“An aristocrat?”

End scene.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 4:30 pm
MJM: “If you run in the republican primary in March, I swear I’ll form a SuperPAC to support you.”

Comment by peon Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:16 pm
MJM: “Did you get Drury’s clock I sent to you ?”

Comment by peon Wednesday, Apr 19, 17 @ 11:38 pm