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* Media advisory earlier today…
Will Springfield’s #MeToo Reckoning Change Illinois’ Political Culture?
Chicago, Illinois, June 11, 2018– State Representatives Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), formerly the conservative reform Republican challenger for Governor, will join Ammie Kessem, a new candidate for State Representative in House District 19, and State Representatives Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), Margo McDermed (R-Frankfort), and Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee), whistleblower Denise Rotheimer, and a coalition of conservative reform candidates and legislators in a joint press conference to lay out a vision for culture change in the wake of mounting accusations of sexual harassment and abuse.
When: Monday, June 11, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Mezzanine-Level Conference Room, 70 W Madison, Chicago, IL
* Among today’s speakers were Ammie Kessem, who is running against Rep. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) with backing from Dan Proft. I expect him to spend big money in that race, even though it’s a Democratic district.
Everyone else who spoke before the video stream conked out were also Proft candidates. Marilyn Smolenski (vs. Rep. Marty Moylan), Tonia Khouri (backed by Proft in the GOP primary) and Darren Bailey (backed by Proft against GOP Rep. David Reis). Jillian Rose Bernas was scheduled to speak, but the video died. Bernas is up against Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) after defeating Char Kegarise in the GOP primary with help from Proft.
* Kessem compared Madigan’s machine to the “Mafia.” The general tone was summed up in this tweet…
GOP lawmakers & candidates says if Democrats won’t also call on Madigan to resign then “the Democratic Party is not interested in reform.” #Harassment
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) June 11, 2018
…Adding… Illinois Review…
Among the GOP candidates on November’s ballot calling for Madigan’s resignation was Darren Bailey, GOP candidate in downstate 109th House district.
“What will it take for politicians to finally stand up to Mike Madigan? What we are witnessing is the abuse of power by one man. There is a culture of corruption in Illinois and as long as Mike Madigan is in power, we will not see the end of abuse of power in Springfield,” Bailey said.
“The first step is for Democrats to demand that Mike Madigan resign as Speaker of the House and as head of the Democrat Party in Illinois. If members of his own caucus refuse to do this, then this is a sure-tale sign that the Democrat Party is certainly not interested in reform in Illinois. I and my colleagues here today are very serious about the integrity of Illinois.” […]
“You thought I was a strong person, look at these candidates committed to a culture of change, and I’m sure they’re going to get it done,” Ives, who is not on the General ballot after losing the GOP gubernatorial primary bid by 3 points, said before taking questions from reporters.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 1:57 pm
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My first though was they’re betting heavy that this issue only affects one party. I’ve been out on a lot of Springfield session nights and I’d say that’s a bad bet.
Comment by The Captain Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:03 pm
Until pretty recently, didn’t Jeanne Ives enthusiastically support a certain governor who years ago was accused by a woman(in a sworn statement in a judicial proceeding)that he would destroy her AND her family?
Comment by Chris P. Bacon Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:05 pm
When every single one of them call for President Trump to resign I will believe this has something to do with morality and not just throwing rocks at political opponents. Madigan is accused of not reining in subordinate’s behavior he might not have known about, but we have the President on tape saying crude things about women, and several lawsuits saying he harassed/assaulted women. Please, try harder to not look like hypocritical partisan hacks.
Comment by Perrid Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:11 pm
What if we didn’t think Ives was a strong woman?
Comment by Morty Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:15 pm
Glass house Miss Ives… glass house.
Comment by Flat Bed Ford Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:16 pm
With all due respect, I think you overstate a bit the “Proft” candidates. Calling Tonia a Proft candidate just isn’t accurate. Just because he donated money doesn’t mean they are his candistates. And actually speak with the candidates and it’s clear hey are not taking their marching orders from Proft. Obviously exceptions exist but his influence overstated.
Comment by 19th ward guy Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:16 pm
===Just because he donated money===
I think he spent $200K on that race. She’s Proft-backed by definition.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:18 pm
…With all due respect.
lol
Bite me.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:18 pm
@19th
Just need to see a couple of those patented Proft “Insert Name Here” commercials, and we can safely say if they’re a Proft candidate or not.
Comment by ChrisB Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:23 pm
“Prodt’s candidates” - any word on Ken Dunkin’s or John Anthony’s aviliblity?
Comment by We'll See Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:24 pm
#MeToo is very important and very real so it’s very unfortunate that Denise Rothheimer hurts the cause every time she makes this so partisan. That’s one of the reasons the Loncar presser backfired.
If you care about the #MeToo issue, focus on the #MeToo issue, not on the anti-Madigan crusade.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:27 pm
Despite all of this reporting 4 years ago, Ives continued to support Rauner, and Proft continued to gorge on Rauner cash:
From “Hardball” thread, October 2014 https://capitolfax.com/2014/10/07/hardball/
“I will bury her,” Rauner is alleged to have told Gilman.
“I will make her radioactive,” Rauner allegedly told Gilman, according to the complaint. “She will never get another job anywhere, ever. I will bankrupt her with legal fees. I don’t know if she has a family or not, but if she does, she better think twice about this.”
Comment by Chris P. Bacon Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:30 pm
**If you care about the #MeToo issue, focus on the #MeToo issue**
This is exactly correct! The question is, do they really care?
Comment by Abraham Obama Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:36 pm
Trans women, and especially trans women of color, experience much higher rates of sexual violence and harassment. I can’t take Ives seriously as a champion of the rights of women when she’s so willing to demonize trans women. Which is unfortunate, because this is clearly a very important issue that she is calling attention too.
Comment by Actual Red Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:37 pm
Isn’t this the hight of hypocrisy? M.M. has responded correctly to those so accused. Yet no Republican is demanding President Donald Trump to resign. Clearly a double standard applies when it comes to D.T.
Comment by peace, love, and guitars Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:38 pm
Ives is a ’strong woman’ who didn’t vote for the ERA.
Comment by Mad Brown Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:55 pm
that Martwick race is interesting because McAuliffe has no opponent yet as his opponent dropped out so the Rs can spend the money elsewhere. Martwick’s opponent is a police officer and if you believe the Tribune, they have a housing issue up there that is energizing them. money will be spent.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 2:59 pm
Whenever people refer to the “Democrat Party,” it’s a sure sign the talker isn’t a Democrat, or an independent, or a Republican interested in finding common ground with left-of-far-right candidates.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 3:06 pm
You don’t understand the distinct if you think Tonia is a Proft
Candidate. She has her own organization and ran away from him late in the primary.
Comment by 19th ward guy Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 3:23 pm
=== She has her own organization===
Something that I’ve written about a couple of times before.
But, as with the Madigan stuff, you don’t get to tell anyone else how to define someone who benefits from the cash.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 3:27 pm
Captain is correct. To think these events are isolated to one caucus is absurd. Those of us that work in the capitol know each caucus has similar problems with legislators and staff.
Comment by Tired Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 3:30 pm
Ives votes against working women/women in general all of the time, now we’re supposed to believe Aunt Lydia has become the support of the #MeToo movement of Illinois legislature???? Have been an activist in many areas, met many politicians over the years…men in powerful positions, no matter party affiliation, may objectify women. So when did Ives speak against President Bone Spurs and the allegations of more than 10 women? …crickets…
Comment by Union Thug Gramma Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 3:45 pm
” talker isn’t a Democrat, or an independent, or a Republican interested in finding common ground with left-of-far-right candidates.” or someone with a basic understanding of grammar
to the post - While supposedly embracing MeToo, the Republican Party war on women continues to go forward. Just ask Jeff Sessions.
Comment by MickJ Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 3:58 pm
Mr/Ms Talker
Repeat after us “cyber attacks and JA”
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:11 pm
Without (not with) a basic understanding of grammar
Well, that was an embarrassing error
Comment by MickJ Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:13 pm
There should be a public face (a legislator, a well-known staffer or lobbyist) for the Republicans as the #metoo movement acquires further momentum, as it undoubtedly will.
But it shouldn’t be Ives, for all the reasons stated in comments above.
Obiter dictum: For those who commented earlier on the distinction between the proper noun “Democrat” (as in “she’s a Democrat”) and the proper adjective “Democratic” (as in “she’s a member of the Democratic Party”: yes, the noun used in place of the adjective (as in “the Democrat Party”) is highly pejorative - it’s been all over national political coverage in the past year, and it looks like the IL GOP has picked up on it.
If somebody uses it, you know exactly where they’re coming from.
Comment by dbk Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:20 pm
What is she doing? This is just all sorts of confusing. Not sure what side she’s on - other than Dan Proft’s that is. Not really seeing a core set of principle here.
Comment by bonnie Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:22 pm
Wonder how Mike Connelly feels about the new Proft/Ives ARDC complaint? She is going after her own state senator now.
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/professional-complaints-filed-against-cullerton-madigan-and-others/article_5188bf24-6dae-11e8-8edb-eb12f10093aa.html
Comment by Memo From Turner Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:18 pm
And Madigan says, “thank you, Dan Proft.”
If any political hack could screw it up and take the heat off Madigan, it’s Proft.
Talk all day about empowering women, gang. Talk and talk and talk…..
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:46 pm