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Question of the day

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Illinois

How about a Friday “question of the day” where everyone gives us examples of the craziest thing [Speaker] Madigan told us in private? Maybe it will give the Governor some new material.

Have fun.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:41 pm

Comments

Hello

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:42 pm
That “hello” was posted by me

Comment by SAP Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:43 pm
“You’ll be okay.”

Comment by TooDaLooMF Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:43 pm
He walked past me and very quietly said “Hello” …I didn’t know what he meant by that???

Comment by Grandpa Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:44 pm
I once made the mistake of asking about how the Speaker got his start, and he told me, ” So I jump ship in Hong Kong and I make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas.”

Comment by igotgotgotgotnotime Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:45 pm
“Nice to meet you.”

Comment by CLJ Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:45 pm
He told me he drinks bat blood with John Podesta as they toast the demise of their enemies

Comment by Mugsy Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:46 pm
“I’m gonna make the sun disappear Monday. Don’t worry; I’ll put it back - I just want to show everybody how much power I have.”

Comment by Newsclown Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:48 pm
He told me that he hates eating apples. Gives him gas.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:48 pm
“Mr. Filan is not going to be very happy with you.”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:50 pm
According to Madigan, people come up to him every day, tell him what a great job he has been doing, and tell him to hang in there.

Comment by Timmeh Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:50 pm
Mike told me an unbelievably hilarious joke — I can’t repeat it here without getting banned for life but the punchline was “The Aristocrats!”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:51 pm
He was for Bernie.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:51 pm
I think Bruce Rauner is doing a great job.

Comment by Because I said so.... Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:51 pm
Madigan whispered to me in his office yesterday that he was the hacker who planted the malware in Rauner’s software.

I told him I didn’t know he had that kind of computer skill. He just smiled.

Comment by Keyrock Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:52 pm
He told me the story of how people get him confused with Mayor Daley.

Comment by Shield Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:52 pm
Madigan told me that he supported Rauner as a means of destroying the Illinois Republican Party, and that things worked out better than he ever imagined.

Comment by AC Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:53 pm
He told me that the story being told by Bruce about him and power is true. They had lunch at Saputo’s on March 15, 2008.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:53 pm
“I listen to Brownie way too much, but he does pick up the tab.”

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:54 pm
My very good friend Mike told me that he has former executives and CEOs who would be willing to work for the state for cheap once his daughter is elected governor.

Comment by Timmeh Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:55 pm
Snark answer:

He told me that he makes political and policy decisions based on the comment section of Capitol Fax

Real answer:

He once had a 10 min. conversation with my then 4 year old daughter about her “pooh bear” (stuffed Winnie the Pooh). He even talked to it. It was a little weird.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:55 pm
“Is that a new hairstyle?” I am NOT kidding.

Comment by Democrat Grrrl Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:55 pm
He told me, he has a cellphone, he just doesn’t like to use it because it is so bulky.

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:55 pm
In a low voice, Mr Madigan said to me: “I started as an undercover agent for Republicans to make the Democrats look bad. I just couldn’t stop.”

Comment by walker Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:56 pm
He only wears his pants hiked up so high, so it can give Capitolfax commenters something to talk about.

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:57 pm
Normally I’d keep all of my conversations with the Speaker private, but since you asked, just this once, I’ll share this story. We were having lunch, oh, it must have been nine years ago, and i asked him what he most wanted to accomplish for Illinois. This is what he told me (hand to God):

“47th, I don’t think about that, I don’t have any goal like that. I do two things: I manage power and I make money from managing power.”

True story.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:58 pm
“I miss Blagojevich”

Comment by The Captain Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 12:58 pm
He told me his main goal was to up his name ID large enough to run for Mayor of Chicago

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:00 pm
That idea for Bruce to send the fish to Rahm. Yeah from me. I told Bruce the fish had to be in a Styrofoam tray to really send a message.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:00 pm
He told me he was Lucky Pierre.

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:01 pm
He said when he comments on Capitol Fax, his handle is “Oswego Willie.”

Also, in conversation, he prefers I be referred to as “Mike” as opposed to Speaker.

Comment by Carhartt Union Negotiating Team Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:01 pm
Don’t tell anyone, but I use my smartphone to post on Capital Fax all the time. No, I’m not going to tell you my handle.

Comment by Joe M Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:01 pm
Sir,
“You are truly OneMan” or perhaps it was “Do you validate parking?”

Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:01 pm
When I did talk to him about 9 years ago he told me ‘I do two things: I manage power and take all my marching orders from George Soros’

Comment by a drop in Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:02 pm
He said that Rauner’s election in 2014 was a secret plot of the Illuminati to make Republicans look bad. And it worked so well that the Illuminati tried it again nationally in 2016.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:02 pm
He told me that Steve Brown was really Wordslinger.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:04 pm
I was having dinner in Saputo’s, and the speaker pulled up a chair, sat down at my table, smiled conspiratorially, and said:

“I know that we just met, and I don’t know you from Adam, but you seem like an eager young man, so I thought you should know — I am relentless in trying to slake my unquenchable thirst for power. I will crush anything and anyone who gets in my way, and I won’t stop until I have destroyed every Illinois family and accumulated enough manageable power to put my among the most feared dictators in history. If you value your life, if you care for your family, leave Illinois now — tonight — and don’t ever look back. Now, can I have one of your breadsticks?”

Comment by South of Sherman Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:04 pm
Would you like to take my daughter to cotillion?

Comment by City Zen Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:07 pm
He told me he covertly financed the Illinois Policy Institute’s “documentary” about him. “I love the exposure,” he said. It’s a little known fact that John Tillman is a former Madigan staffer.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:07 pm
Just last week, the speaker was in Urbana. You know, he’s here all the time. I was at the Iron Post listening to a great jazz group, and Madigan sits down right next to me. What are the odds? Anyway, he leans over, looks me in the eye, and says “I killed Jimmy Hoffa.” Then just gets up and leaves.

Comment by In Urbana Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:08 pm
He laughed, and told me he really has 10 cell phones, hates apples, and secretly wants to be a Republican.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:09 pm
=He told me that Steve Brown was really Wordslinger.=

The Looch’s head just exploded. Vindication!!!!!

Comment by Get a Job!! Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:10 pm
He told me that he was Godfather to all of Rauner’s children.

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:12 pm
He recently told me that Scott Drury was a nice fellow & that Drury was offered a swag bag earlier this year and turned it down.

Comment by Get a Job!! Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:13 pm
He told me Rauner is going to dump Sanguinetti and replace her with him as Lt Gov.

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:15 pm
He told me that Scott Drury is his preferred candidate for Governor

Comment by Get a Job!! Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:18 pm
He told me that there is only one person he fears & that’s Lisa.

Comment by Interim Retiree Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:19 pm
A few years ago, he told me that as a young man, he located a magic crystal skull which he uses to keep the Illinois Democratic Party under his control. Without the power of his skull, they would all be voting to eliminate collective bargaining and social support programs.

Comment by Pelonski Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:19 pm
He told me that he recently that two years ago he copyrighted the word “Madigan” and now gets a monetary cut ever time Rauner uses it on TV. Said he has made more money from that in two years than he has in 40 years of doing property tax appeals.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:25 pm
“An Apple a Day keeps the Governor Away”

Comment by Rufus Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:26 pm
He once told me it’s not enough to defeat your opponent but to look at them as your enemy and slowly crush them.

Comment by Casual observer Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:26 pm
I pay Rich Miller to say great stuff about me. You can see it in my quartlies, see - $500 a year to “Ahead of the Times Publishing”

Comment by Fax Machine Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:30 pm
“I really miss Ken Dunkin.”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:31 pm
OK, one more, and I promise this is the last conversation I’ll reveal. On the day that Lisa and Patrick got married, he and I were sitting in his office, and I was telling him about some professional problem I was having, there was a job I wanted, but the guy in charge wasn’t going to give it to me.

Madigan got a little angry with me at first, which kind of scared me a little, and then, out of the blue, he asks me:

“Do you spend time with your family?”

And I was like, huh? Where’s this coming from? But I told him the truth, I said, “sure I do.”

And he goes on, he continues and he says: “Good. Because a man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.”

It was weird. I didn’t know what to say. I had no idea where this was coming from or what he was talking about. Finally, he told me I looked terrible, that I should eat something, and get some rest. I couldn’t believe it. And then, about a month later, I got that job.

True story.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:32 pm
He told me that he can never forgive Lisa for staying as AG and ruining his chance to run for Governor.

Comment by Keyrock Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:35 pm
Normally I’d keep all of my conversations with the Speaker private, but since you asked, just this once, I’ll share this story. We were having lunch, oh, it must have been a year ago, and he told me that he started the story that Ted Cruz was the Zodiac Killer. I’m not kidding. He went on and told me investigators were getting close to figuring out it was actually him, Madigan, and so he looked around for someone to place the blame and Cruz is so unlikeable, that Madigan figured he was the perfect patsy. So, you know, not only does he manage power and manage money for power, he had a side gig as a serial killer. I mean, how can you expect someone like that to ever compromise on a budget?

Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:38 pm
He likes to wear women’s underwear on the floor. Apparently it helps him empathize with republicans.

Comment by the Patriot Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:40 pm
“Can you do me a favor and call Drury to let him know what time it is; I hear he has been crying about not owning a clock”

Comment by Seats Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:40 pm
The Speaker told me, privately…

“Lay off on Rauner. He’s a good man, Diana is a good person, they’re just misunderstood”

I stood there, in silence.

He started to walk way, but turned, ever so subtly, enough of his face turned so I knew he was talking to me… and said…

“… and you were wrong about Cross, no mater if he threw your clubs in the pond or not”

…

That was the last conversation we had.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:41 pm
Mike informed me he has tremendous clout in and around Chicago. So, I asked Mike, how much to get my property tax bill halved? One dollar he said. So, I gave Mike 2 and said how about a 90% reduction. Done said the Speaker.

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:41 pm
I was in the elevator alone with him in Boston after Obamas speech in 2004…I said quite a night last night and he said nothing and grinned from ear to ear…

Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:45 pm
“I got so wrecked at Lolla this year.”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:47 pm
“Me and the members I control…”

Comment by Marty Funkhouser Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:47 pm
“Is it 3/5ths or simple majority? I can never remember.”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:51 pm
“I am the Radical Candor tweeter.”

Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:51 pm
“Here’s my cell number, call or text me any time.”

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:53 pm
All they got from the Speaker was protection from other guys looking to rip them off. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what the Rauner can never understand - that what the Speaker and the Democrat organization offer is protection for the kinds of guys who can’t go to the cops. They’re like the police department for Legislators.

Comment by PlayK8 Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:57 pm
We were having chicken w peppers at Saputo’s. The speaker leaned in, and said, “I have a tattoo of every gov I have served with. Even black. nvitation only. Kiss-kiss gets you a budget. No tat of Bruce. Ever.”

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:58 pm
I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 1:59 pm
“So I say to Jesse, Lisa would really like your job. He looks at me and says you’ll be fine. Can you believe this guy?”

Comment by Casual observer Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Sometimes - when no one’s looking - I eat caramel apples.

Comment by Robert Montgomery Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:02 pm
He once told me he prefers the Olive Garden over Saputos. I almost threw up into my Never Ending Bowl of Pasta.

Comment by GOP Extremist Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:03 pm
He admitted that he was truly heartless. Yes, AFSCME ripped it out and replaced it with a mechanical one. If he doesn’t obey them they’ll turn up the speed so he keeps dancing Irish jigs until the bones in his feet break and his hips wear out. AFSCME also plans to keep running that heart forever, making both him and them essentially immortal and unstoppable.

Comment by Earnest Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:03 pm
I had to call Lisa this morning to bail me out of jail. You know that Facebook photo from last night, well that guy is waking up in the hospital.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:05 pm
“Sir, I’m just trying to eat my steak.”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:07 pm
Even Blago not black

Bruce, at the state fair, “He said I could see his tats, if we took a steam, and I swatted him w birch leaves. It was awful.”

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:07 pm
Madigan told the longest version of the Aristocrats joke I have ever heard.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:07 pm
I ran into Mike at the Verizon store just last week. He told me that he actually hates being speaker. But every time he talks about retiring, Lisa just begs him to stay on. So he’s only doing it for her.

Comment by drew Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:08 pm
He just now called me. He asked me about the harvest season, and wants me to let him know when it’s time to combine corn. He said he’d like to come down here and help.

Comment by South Central Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:09 pm
So this Leprechaun-like figure sidles up to an adjacent Statehouse urinal and whispers “I was in Dallas.”
I say “Huh?”
“November 22, 1963. On the grassy knoll.”
Then he just turns and walks away.
I know, weird, right? Didn’t flush or wash his hands.

Comment by Decaf Coffee Party Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:14 pm
Last year: “The Governor’s been civil with me, but persistent…tell him that I said that. That he’s been civil. [smile]”

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:15 pm
Now I don’t know Madigan from Adam, but one night in 2008 I was in a Springfield watering hole half watching a White Sox’s game. Madigan walks over to me and says “Don’t tell Rich Miller, but I really, really hate the White Sox.

Comment by G'Kar Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:17 pm
A few years ago I was in the waiting room in Chicago for the state plane. Madigan walked by and gave me this “who the hell are YOU?” look. Emil Jones at least smiled at me.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:17 pm
He said, “It’s not personal; it’s business.”

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:20 pm
He told me that he absconded with the church funds, and, yes, he ran off with a senator’s wife. But he added that he never killed a man.

Comment by JoanP Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:21 pm
We were watching premium cable the other night, when he admitted he would help Rauner with his business climate reforms, but only after the Governor bends the knee.

Comment by GOP Extremist Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:22 pm
Another cerveza my friend….?

Comment by Hey Now Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:24 pm
Bruce Rauner is my love child from a relationship with a former mayor. He resents I don’t acknowledge him.

Comment by wondering Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:26 pm
So we were at the beer tent for Capt Geech. Mike walks up with 4 fresh Coors and says ‘In my spare time I play bass for Grand Funk Railroad. Been doing it for years.’ We soon had arms on shoulders, rocking back and forth doing ‘I’m getting closer to my home…’. What a night.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:36 pm
He told me that, if it weren’t for the map, he’d love to see Rauner win another term. The biggest gift he’s ever gotten in politics is Rauner reducing the state costs of higher education, human services and union workers while Madigan gets to look like their great defender.

Comment by Earnest Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:39 pm
He said I’ve broke em all Rep and Dem Thompson, Edgar, Ryan, Blagojevich and Quinn. But you sir are one tough nut to crack. He also said you know the people of Illinois sometime can’t tell when your joking about crushing Chicago, TRS, Social Services, higher education and state employees. I just looked at him and said it ain’t important if they know as long as I know.

Comment by STOPH Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:40 pm
He told me that he first used the phrase “operating in the extreme” when as a young politician he warned the ancient Athenian lawgiver Draco that his reforms were too harsh.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 2:45 pm
Once at dinner, I told him he was funny.

He replied, “What do you mean I’m funny? You mean the way I talk? What? Funny how? Let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it’s me, I’m a little messed up maybe, but I’m funny how, I mean funny like I’m a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I’m here to amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny? How the heck am I funny, what the heck is so funny about me? Tell me, tell me what’s funny!”

Comment by hangdog Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 3:05 pm
madigan told me that he went to woodstock. he said he abandoned the car he was in and walked the last few miles. but he said he was disappointed, because he couldn’t understand the words when jimi hendrix played the star spangled banner. worst concert he ever went to, he said…

Comment by bored now Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 3:06 pm
Me and Mike were at a Bar,we looked over and Rauner was next to us. The conversation went something like this

Madigan: No more shines, Bruce.
Bruce: What?
Madigan: I said, no more shines. Maybe you didn’t hear about it, you’re new to this game. They didn’t go up there and tell you. I don’t shine shoes anymore.
Bruce: Relax, will ya? Ya flip right out, what’s got into you? I’m trying to diminish your power a little bit, that’s all. I’m only kidding with ya…
Madigan: Sometimes you don’t sound like you’re kidding, you know, there’s a lotta people around…

Comment by Maywoodian Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 3:27 pm
He said he made the Kessel run in ten parsecs. I know better.

Comment by Han's Solo Cup Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 3:51 pm
He once told me he knows who put the bop in the bop shoo wop shoo wop.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 3:58 pm
He told me he knew the words to Mac the Knife after the first time he listened.

Comment by don the legend Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 4:10 pm
He told me the secret location of Scott Drury’s clock after I signed a confidentiality agreement.

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 4:36 pm
“No, I don’t want you to supersize that for me.”

Comment by Whatever Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 7:23 pm