Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Bost victimized by fake news on prayer cards
Next Post: Inspector General Hickey leaving for greener pastures
Posted in:
* The Tribune writes about more Madigan “#MeToo” fallout…
The harassment issue comes at a time of a surging progressive movement within the Democratic Party that threatens the stability of a party establishment that has ruled for decades. Those battles are playing out across the Democratic primary ballot, including contests for governor, Congress and even Cook County assessor.
There is no better example of the fight between the new-guard progressives and the old-guard, Madigan-led establishment than the speaker’s backyard — the Southwest Side and suburban 3rd Congressional District, home of Madigan’s 13th Ward organization.
On Tuesday, Democratic challenger Marie Newman added her name to the list of those calling for the speaker to give up his party chairmanship. Newman is taking on 13-year Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, who succeeded his father, William, a 22-year congressman.
“It is time for Michael Madigan to resign as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Anything less would put the Democrats’ political prospects at risk in November — and more importantly, would send a signal to all victims that their voices don’t matter, and that the status quo will never be disrupted,” she said.
* Sun-Times…
Lipinski, however, said Madigan has taken responsibility and admitted he must do better: “He appears to have taken a number of steps to ensure that women are better protected in the statehouse and on the campaign trail and that action will be taken against perpetrators,” Lipinski said. “I have confidence that Mike Madigan in his roles as Democratic Party Chairman and Speaker of the House will be a powerful force for change for women.”
* Meanwhile…
Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) showed his face at City Hall Wednesday for the first time since his brother was fired, but refused to answer questions about the sexual harassment scandal swirling around his ward committeeman and powerful political mentor, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
With Curtis Franklin, the City Council’s burly assistant sergeant-at-arms as lead blocker, Quinn blew past reporters on his way into and out of a meeting of the City Council’s License Committee.
Quinn twice said, “good morning, everybody,” but otherwise remained silent and stared straight ahead as reporters asked him to comment about the sexual harassment allegations made against his brother and about the burgeoning scandal surrounding Madigan, the alderman’s political patron.
The alderman spoke during the hearing, but only to explain his proposal to declare yet another precinct of his Southwest Side ward off limits to new listings on Airbnb. Five other precincts are proceeding with the painstaking petition process, the alderman said.
Quinn has been under fire for the go-between role he played in the sex scandal surrounding Madigan’s vaunted and once impenetrable political organization.
* Video…
Alterman Marty Quinn ignores reporters and refuses to answer questions about his brother's firing for harassing a female subordinate in Mike Madigan's political organization @ABC7Chicago pic.twitter.com/MIlBQy9Ky6
— Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) February 21, 2018
Whew.
…Adding… He did the same thing on the way out…
WATCH: It's clear that Alderman Marty Quinn is not interested in addressing the issue of his brother Kevin Quinn's inappropriate texts with a female campaign worker that got him fired from Mike Madigan's political organization in the 13th Ward @ABC7Chicago #twill #politics pic.twitter.com/8mXwKhfuE1
— Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) February 21, 2018
* In other news…
A first-time candidate for state representative in an Illinois House district west of Champaign is calling for an independent investigation of sexual harassment in the Democratic Party in Illinois and for Michael Madigan to step down as head of the state party.
But Jen McMillin of Decatur, the only Democratic candidate in the 101st House District, said she isn’t calling for Madigan to step down as Speaker of the House “at this time.” […]
“I believe that we need to have an independent investigation and while that happens Chairman Madigan should step down only from the Democratic Party of Illinois,” McMillin, 32, said Wednesday. “We need to encourage more people to come to the Democratic Party of Illinois and know that we are open and inclusive. And I’m afraid that during this investigation that openness is called into question if Madigan continues as the chairman.”
She cited the appointment of three top Democratic elected officials — U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos of Moline, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza and state Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana — as leaders of a statewide discussion about the role of women in the party “a wonderful step in the right direction.
Trump won that district by 31 points and Rauner won it by 39. The only statewide Democrat to have won the 101st since 2012 was Secretary White in 2014.
So, basically, McMillin can freely speak her mind because she has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:40 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Bost victimized by fake news on prayer cards
Next Post: Inspector General Hickey leaving for greener pastures
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Quinn could use a little advice regarding crisis management.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:50 am
This whole situation is about Harassment. Its not just a sexual harassment topic. Its employment harrassment. One persons power and army of people has allowed people to do what they want because they have power thanks be to Madigan. Its abuse of power. Peoples careers and lives have been ruined due to the 13th ward army. Abuse of power .
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:59 am
To slightly paraphrase Oswego Willy, “Leaders own”
Comment by Politically incorrect Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:03 pm
“Peoples careers and lives have been ruined due to the 13th ward army.”
Besides Kevin Quinn, who?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:05 pm
Meh, not like Lipinski has a choice.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:21 pm
–Trump won that district by 31 points…–
A Kentucky Democrat last night won a rural House District that Trump won by 49 points. All bets are off.
Comment by King Louis XVI Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:31 pm
===A Kentucky Democrat last night won a rural House District that Trump won by 49 points. All bets are off. ===
Stop. That was a swing district before 2016. The 101st has never been a swing district.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:37 pm
===That was a swing district before 2016.===
Plus, isn’t this the district where the incumbent committed suicide in the midst of a personal scandal? I wouldn’t read much into these results, this was a very local election.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:55 pm
Rich Miller,
That’s not really true. Romney won that Kentucky district 66-33. While it’s true the Dem candidate was a former state rep. for the district, she had last won like 51-49 in 2012. This time she won 68-32. No matter how you slice it, it was a massive swing.
That said, I fully agree the 101st district is a completely different ballgame.
Comment by Angel's Sword Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 1:06 pm
Is it confirmed that Alaina Hampton left the 13th Ward to work for Marie Newman? Seems like Marie Newman may have game like nobody expected…
Comment by Soothsayer Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 1:08 pm
===left the 13th Ward to work for Marie Newman?===
Yes. But not for very long.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 1:23 pm
One of the GOP candidates in the 101st, Dan Caulkins, is the Decatur guy who famously was videoed behind Trump at the Sfld Convention Center. He was doing supportive contortions.
He is Decatur’s kind of guy.
Comment by Yuri Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 1:55 pm
“===left the 13th Ward to work for Marie Newman?===
Yes. But not for very long.”
FEC Data says she started in April and stopped in August. About five months. Not a cup of coffee but not a long term engagement either. Any idea why she left, Rich?
Comment by Too Much to Handle Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:11 pm
As a former resident of the 101st, I’d eat my hat* if McMillin won.
*if I wore hats, that is.
Comment by Galen Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:19 pm
== time of a surging progressive movement==
Our district is more blue collar Dem than progressive. Yes, Bernie received more votes than Hillary, but those were votes for his economic platform, over social issues.
==Marie Newman added her name to the list of those calling for the speaker to give up his party chairmanship==
Wow, I was surprised. She took on Madigan forecfully. Our district includes most of Madigan’s turf. Could be a smart move if this blows up more, else destined to make unnecessary enemies.
Lipinski’s response - tepid, but prudent. Calling for reform rather than resignation is still a response. He’s betting that Madigan’s office knows what needs to be done about work culture going forward.
Comment by I live in Lipinski's District Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 2:44 pm
Why does this Alderman think he’s too important questions from the media? What’s he hiding? Who is he protecting?
It’s time for these kind of staffers to go. The New Democratic Party doesn’t need them, their hubris or their baggage.
Comment by Make a statement Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:20 pm