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Gonzales wants to “inspect, measure” and photograph Madigan’s offices

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Illinois

A former political rival accusing Mike Madigan of placing “sham” candidates on the ballot wants to “inspect, measure” and photograph the powerful speaker and state Democratic Party chairman’s political offices — a demand Madigan’s lawyers are fighting as a violation of the First Amendment and “a political fishing expedition.”

Lawyers for Jason Gonzales, an unsuccessful primary challenger who is suing Madigan in federal court, are asking to “inspect, measure, survey, and/or photograph the premises” at two of the speaker’s Southwest Side offices — the political offices of Friends of Michael J. Madigan and the 13th Ward Democratic Organization offices.

Madigan’s attorneys are arguing the request violates the U.S. Constitution.

“Defendants have clear First Amendment rights to associate in their offices that would be infringed by Plaintiff being granted court-ordered access to photograph, measure and inspect,” the filing says. “This Court should not permit Plaintiff to engage in a political fishing expedition in the political committees’ offices.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:46 am

Comments

I’m not sure how it would affect their right to assemble. Have the photographers come in after hours or something. But yeah, it seems weird. What possible relevance does the dimensions or layout of the building(s) have to the question of whether or not Madigan put up a “sham” candidate?

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:48 am
It’s Peraica, maybe he thinks the walls can talk.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:52 am
Totally bizarre and pointless.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:52 am
Is Gonzales getting together an Ocean’s Eleven type group? Is that why they need detailed schematics of office spaces?

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:55 am
Is it possible Peraica could just be looking to have another torchlight parade on an election night? He might be thinking he misses those.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:57 am
Just more manufactured controversy. The guy lost, and he wants to blame his opponent. Hey someone has to win, and someone has to lose. That is the way things work. Time to move on.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:58 am
Gonzo plans on bringing Simon Baker from “The Mentalist” who will find the door to the secret room where Madigan stashes his cell phones and records of shady dealings. /s

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:02 am
Maybe Peraica thinks that the offices will be like those rooms in “the Club Monmartre” occupied by Frank Nitti on the television series “The Untouchables.”

I expect that an on site investigation may reveal the presence of desks, chairs, file cabinets, telephones, office equipment and supplies.

Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:04 am
What possible probative value would such a request have or evidence would it lead to?

Comment by d.p.gumby Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:05 am
Bedtime for Gonzo.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:07 am
–This seems weird…–

You’re awfully charitable this morning.

Maybe Blair Hull wants some pics for his upcoming self-published autobiography.

He’s the dude writing the checks for grifters Gonzo and Peraica.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:07 am
You usually measure for curtains when you win.

I’m not seeing the rationale for this request. You don’t order something unless there is a valid link to the facts you’re trying to argue.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:11 am
He thinks he will win in a rematch in 2020 and wants to measure for drapes.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:13 am
“Blair Hull….upcoming self-published autobiography”. Wow. And Christmas is just around the corner. Most autobiography’s have a load or two of fabrications, imaginings, and outright untruths. And thats when they have a professional, conscientious editor.

Comment by Matts Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:21 am
Jason Gonzalez is such a disgrace. His argument implies that Hispanics are not intelligent enough to determine that he, Gonzalez, does not represent their views and blindly vote for any Hispanic on the ballot. He believes that it’s impossible that Hispanics are able to see he was set up by Rauner.

Comment by Mr.Black Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:27 am
On second thought, maybe he just wants to check if the office is laid out per Feng Shui specs.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:58 am
Two words: Aaron Schock.

Comment by H-W Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:05 am
” the secret room where Madigan stashes his cell phones and records of shady dealings.” Don’t forget about the bodies.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:06 am
If Gonzo hangs outside with torches and pitchforks… then I’ll take his side on this.

If Peraica leads Gonzo with torches and pitchforks I’ll even show up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:14 am
Very very weird. I’m disappointed the reporter didn’t get a comment from Gonzalez or his attorneys - would have been interesting to hear how they’d justify this request.

Even if they did get access, do they really think Mike Madigan keeps a file in his office labeled “Dastardly Election Shenaningans”?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:30 am
–Even if they did get access, do they really think Mike Madigan keeps a file in his office labeled “Dastardly Election Shenaningans”?–

They’re grifters, abusing the courts with nuisances as far as the judge will let them. They have to show Hull some work product for those checks.

Beats stealing yard signs or drunken wandering north of the river trying to find the County Building for a living.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:36 am
Mr. Black - what’s a disgrace is you pretending not to know that lots of voters come into the booth with only a last name in mind or a hazy recollection of the first name. You probably also know that in the “LaRouchie” election droves of people of all races voted for a name they liked more than the other names without knowing a thing about the candidates.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:31 pm
–You probably also know that in the “LaRouchie” election droves of people of all races voted for a name they liked more than the other names without knowing a thing about the candidates.–

Huh. Wonder why that guy with the nice name “Drury” didn’t do better.

Maybe voters weren’t “hazy’ as to who he was.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:55 pm
Looking for the paper that was used to get on the ballot or the printer from two years ago

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:59 pm
Admittedly, I haven’t read any of the pleadings or gone to any of the hearings.

Even if Madigan put up sham candidates, does anyone honestly think he would keep their campaign materials in either of these offices? Especially, two years after the election?

I don’t know what Gonzo and his lawyer are smoking, but I do want to know why they aren’t sharing it with the rest of us.

Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:17 pm