Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Well, there’s a full-throated defense

Posted in:

Illinois

* The Tribune’s Inc. column on Michael Madigan breaking former South Carolina Speaker Solomon Blatt’s record as the longest serving state House Speaker in American history…

His office didn’t mark the milestone, according to his spokesman, Steve Brown, who said any celebration of the record “didn’t come up — I haven’t discussed it with him.”

Asked whether the speaker was proud of his achievement, Brown offered only the blandest of comments. “He’s had a long career,” Brown said.

* But there’s still one more record to go…

And though he has now outlasted Blatt’s 32-1/2 years as House speaker, he still has another six years to go before he bests the 53 years Blatt spent as a member of the South Carolina House.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 10:44 am

Comments

Did the formal federal prosecutor give the Speaker a clock to commemorate the occasion?

Comment by 47th Ward Whig Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 10:46 am
And even longer to beat Fred Risser in Wisconsin, who’s been serving in the Assembly for 60 years and counting… http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/in–year-legislative-career-fred-risser-has-learned-to/article_6b3033f9-dce7-5527-8002-b14a9e37e988.html

Comment by Dan Vock Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 10:47 am
I can picture The Onion article now:

“Area Speaker quiet as he celebrates dubious honor.”

Comment by Curl of the Burl Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 10:48 am
Like any good spokesperson, Brown is shameless.

The clock gift…of course Madigan celebrates his length of service!

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 10:53 am
32 years as politician doesn’t have the ringing honor as it may have had in days long past.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:00 am
There’s nothing to celebrate. He loves himself, likes his supporters, and makes a living damaging the rest of us.

Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:02 am
He might be the Speaker 20 years from now with his discipline and drive.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:13 am
yep. he’s not going anywhere.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:14 am
Long live Michael J. Madigan.

Comment by Dick Butka Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:16 am
Can we get a list of accomplishments? Anyone, anyone? Where are you Steve Brown? *Crickets*

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:27 am
A lot of jealousy by his adversaries. Nobody has his discipline, focus, work ethic, instincts and organizational ability. He is the New England Patriots of Illinois politicians.

Comment by Captain Ed Smith Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:31 am
Capt. Smith: all those attributes directed on WHAT is the issue.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:45 am
“He is the New England Patriots of Illinois Politics.”

Well, there’s an excellent joke relating to “Deflategate” that I just can’t make clean enough for posting. Sorry.

Congratulations, Mr. Speaker.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:47 am
I only pray he lives long enough to see the real pain to come he will have inflicted on the citizens of this great state in the next 15-20 years as the pension time bomb explodes and imposes a financial straight jacket on the next generation.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 11:55 am
I’m surprised ILGOP isn’t hamming it up with this - offering him congratulations, maybe presenting him with a plaque

Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 12:01 pm
Guessin’ the list might include issues like
—stoppin’ Thompson tax hikes
—endin’ death penalty
— IL Power Authority/$1 billon refunds/$2-3 billion lower rates.
— voting reforms
—Blagoof impeachment
—$30 billion capitol program
—McPier labor reforms
— marriage equality
The list is long and has many co-authors.
Hopes this helps refresh memories.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 12:12 pm
Annonin’- let us refresh your memory- $ 7-9 billion a year and climbing interest debt on pension deficit. 26% funding of K-12 education, one of the worst in the nation. Population and jobs leaving the State because of the worst recovery of all the neighboring states. Gerrymandering which is far from voter reform unless you only think the Democrats ruining the State is a good thing. Unfunded retiree healthcare, one of the most politically corrupt states in the nation.

Comment by Arock Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 12:57 pm
Annonin’ I don’t think most people, including most of us here, ever understood the IL Power Agency and what it did.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 3:37 pm
Anon,
Some policies are killing off as many our kids and we retirees as fast as can be done. However all of the states and the nation as a whole will still be the land of the free and home of the brave. Edit: Don’t know how many of the brave may be left to protect you by then so perhaps some the freedoms may be also be lost. Good luck with your future endeavors.

Comment by cc Wednesday, Aug 9, 17 @ 7:49 pm