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* UPDATED x1 - Rauner campaign slams Pritzker * ILGOP lambastes Madigan over Cassidy allegations

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* ILGOP…

Democratic State Rep. Cassidy Retaliated Against For Speaking Out On Madigan’s Mishandling Of Sexual Harassment Allegations
Madigan Chief of Staff and DPI Exec. Director Tim Mapes made “chilling” phone call concerning Rep. Cassidy’s employment

“This is how Mike Madigan operates: he will use the levers of power to retaliate against those who oppose him. The ‘chilling’ phone call Madigan Chief of Staff and DPI Executive Director Tim Mapes made concerning Rep. Cassidy’s employment in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office was a shameless attempt to silence those speaking out against Madigan’s corruption and stonewall any efforts to move an independent investigation against Madigan’s DPI forward.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Democratic State Representative Kelly Cassidy is saying that she’s faced retaliation for speaking out against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s mishandling of sexual harassment allegations from within his political organization. Cassidy called for an independent investigation into the Democratic Party of Illinois and Friends of Michael J. Madigan to review harassment policies and responses to complaints.

Days after calling for that investigation, Speaker Madigan’s Chief of Staff, Tim Mapes, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois, called the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, where Cassidy held a part-time position, to confirm that Cassidy was still employed there. Cassidy said Mapes’ phone call was “a little chilling” and “felt like a warning.” DPI is a defendant in the sexual harassment lawsuit brought forward by Alaina Hampton.

Cassidy also said that she has attempted to communicate with Speaker Madigan concerning pending legislation, but her requests have been ignored thus far. Additionally, Democratic State Rep. Bob Rita confronted Cassidy on the House floor concerning legislation she opposes, but her former boss, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, supports. Rita told Cassidy that he would “expect to be fired” if he did what she did.

Cassidy eventually resigned her position in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office because she believes she was facing “retribution” over the matter.

This is how Mike Madigan operates: he will use the levers of power to retaliate against those who oppose him.

Thoughts?

*** UPDATE *** Rauner campaign…

JB Pritzker says he will put ‘people over politics,’ but his past actions prove that he will put himself before everyone else.

Pritzker is outspoken in his campaign ads that victims of sexual harassment need to be believed: “[when] women everywhere need me to say ‘we believe you,’ you will find me standing right there next to you.”

Now is his chance. Yesterday, Rep. Kelly Cassidy came forward to tell her story of being pushed out of her job with the Cook County Sheriff’s office in retaliation for speaking out about harassment allegations in Madigan’s political organization.

Pritzker has a history of being unable to criticize Madigan, particularly on this issue.

Chicago Tribune: “’I think people like J.B. Pritzker who can’t criticize him (Madigan), that makes it very difficult to win the general election,’ Kennedy said. ‘It makes him almost unelectable in a general election. We need to have that freedom, the space to be critical of our own party. Unless we have that freedom, then the leadership is, in fact, toxic.’”
WMBD: “In four minutes and 25 seconds of discussing the sexual harassment scandal, Pritzker did not once say ‘Madigan.’ Madigan on Friday sent a letter to lawmakers saying it’s time to ‘rethink the culture of politics.’”
State Journal-Register: “‘It took J.B. Pritzker a week to get permission from Mike Madigan to even name him in talking about the sexual harassment coverup,’ Biss said. ‘We need someone with independence…’”
WCIA: Biss continues calling Pritzker, “Madigan’s candidate” after debate wraps up.
Chicago Tribune: “Pritzker, who has successfully coalesced support from the Democratic Party establishment, has repeatedly declined to say if he thought Madigan should step down as party chairman, House speaker, or both. He declined to say so again on Thursday.”

So does Pritzker stand with Kelly Cassidy and Alaina Hampton or Mike Madigan?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 8:30 am

Comments

And Brady’s withdrawal of staff support from McCann was just good government, right?

Comment by low level Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 8:41 am
The GOPies want all to use the John Anthony/Cyber Attack model for these situations

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 8:45 am
Many years ago I worked under Tim Mapes for during four or five years. I understand this is my personal opinion of the man, but if there is a petty man definition it’s him. I have reconfirmed my believe by exchanging my direct experiences with Mapes with a large numbers of other employees who worked under his supervision. The accusation Rep. Cassidy is making about Mapes calling the sheriff office does not surprises me a bit. I know for a fact that Mapes made several similar calls directed to other offices seeking to squash the employment opportunity when a staffer left Madigan’s office to pursue other opportunities and Mapes felt that the new job should not happen.

Comment by Just me Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 8:46 am
The environment in which we are forced to work has got to end! It is incredibly disheartening to see the same outcome over and over again. In the end is seems like we are only given two options, our jobs or our dignity.

Comment by Dem Staff Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 8:47 am
The governor who just rewarded a convicted wife beater with a $70,000 government job should probably lay low on this issue.

Comment by One hand //ing Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 8:49 am
This ain’t “nuthin” and it ain’t going away or getting “smaller”.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 8:51 am
Lets say one of Rauner’s appointments came out publically against a bill he wanted passed. What do we think the outcome would be?

As for Mapes, I worked under him years ago. My experience was if you worked hard and were diligent, you got along fine with him. Some had difficulties, yes. Those were the people that didnt want to work or thought staff was “beneath them”

Comment by low level Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 9:02 am
—As for Mapes, I worked under him years ago. My experience was if you worked hard and were diligent, you got along fine with him. Some had difficulties, yes.—

Agreed. Same experience. The mopes were the ones who suffered.

Regarding the call to Dart’s office, it’s Tim nature to vacuum up every scrap of information; know every detail; file it away. Next to MJM, no one knows more about the building than Mapes. Ok, maybe, Brown.

His intention with the call? Folks w/ the mind reading apps can clue us in.

Comment by King Louis XVI Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 9:30 am
===it’s Tim nature to vacuum up every scrap of information; know every detail; file it away===

LOLOL

If you think he was merely gathering a tidbit of information with that call, then you’re beyond help.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 9:31 am
—If you think he was merely gathering a tidbit of information with that call, then you’re beyond help.—

What I “think” and I “know” are different things. For credibility’s sake, it’s an useful distinction.

Speculation is a mope’s game.

Comment by King Louis XVI Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 9:46 am
===Speculation is a mope’s game. ===

Well, then I guess you can leave.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 9:49 am
This needs a thorough airing and a whole lot of explaining from the alleged 3D Chessmaster.

Hard to believe that anyone could be so stupid and heavy-handed in this environment, but arrogance can be a powerful drug.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 9:54 am