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Because… Madigan!

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Illinois

* Brett Rowland apparently wants Gov. Pritzker to act more like Gov. Rauner, or Gov. Blagojevich…

Pritzker, of course, can’t get rid of Madigan on his own. The House Speaker is elected by the full House of Representatives, and the representatives are elected by the voters in their respective districts.

But Pritzker has his pulpit. He also has plenty of influence over Democrats in the state.

If Pritzker really wants to clean up the state, the first step will be standing up to the one person who prefers the status quo: Michael Madigan.

Public, frontal attacks almost never work on MJM. They usually end in political disaster.

* Speaking of Pritzker, here’s the Illinois Radio Network…

The Chicago Tribune recently reported several people interviewed by federal investigators were asked about about long-time serving House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and his political operations. The newspaper also reported emails show a longtime Madigan ally who was a lobbyist for the energy sector arranged questionable payments for a former Madigan aide who was fired amid sexual harassment allegations.

Pritzker was asked Tuesday if he thinks federal investigators are focusing on Madigan.

“I don’t know where those investigations are going,” Pritzker said. “I am very troubled, frankly, by the misdeeds, by the corruption.”

* Shaw Media…

State Rep. Mark Batinick decided to pick a fight with his 2020 Democratic election opponent about whether or not he would support the sitting speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Batinick, R-Plainfield, challenged Harry Benton, a Plainfield village trustee, to say whether he would support Michael Madigan’s speakership, according to a news release. Madigan is the longest serving speaker in the history of the Illinois legislature. […]

While Benton didn’t directly answer Batinick’s question in a statement, he dismissed the tactic as part of his opponent’s “outdated playbook of distraction and partisan spin.”

“My focus will remain on the real issues in this race: protecting our health care, creating new jobs, providing real tax relief for the middle class and truly representing everyone in the 97th (District) in a bipartisan way, instead of pandering with a partisan agenda,” Benton said in the statement.

* Jim Dey…

Consider this recent news story announcing that Madigan had put a serious public-relations problem behind him.

“Lawsuit costs Madigan nearly $900,000”

Actually, it didn’t cost Madigan a dime to settle a sexual-harassment lawsuit a former female campaign operative filed against his political organizations. It cost his many generous donors.

* Hannah Meisel on MJM’s money…

The four political committees controlled by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) amassed more than $1 million in the last week, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The speaker’s personal political committee, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, raked in the most, at nearly $733,000, according to reports filed Thursday. The 13th Ward Democratic Organization received $195,600, according to a Dec. 6 report, and Democratic Majority saw a $99,300 boost, according to a report filed Thursday. The largest cash infusions came from organized labor, including nearly $502,900 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to Friends of Michael J. Madigan.

* ILGOP fundraising email…

Rich,

For most, December is a time to gather with friends and family and celebrate the spirit of the holiday season.

For Mike Madigan, December is just another month where his cronies in the corrupt Illinois Democratic crime ring dodge federal investigators, coerce community leaders, and advance their self-serving political agendas.

We’ve made some critical updates to our crime tracker and we wanted to make sure you saw them: CHECK OUT OUR UPDATES on DemCorruption.com

But we’re really reaching out to you today, Rich, because December marks the end of the year. As we look to 2020, we’re excited at our plans to shut down this Democrat crime ring and return Republican ideals to our state. With impressive Republican candidates on the ballot next year who will work hard to support the GOP in Illinois as well as important initiatives to stop the corrupt political agenda of Mike Madigan, JB Pritzker and their crime ring, we need to start 2020 off on the right foot.

As you know, we need your help to make it happen. So we’re asking today for an end-of-year donation to the Illinois Republican Party.

With less than a month until New Year’s Eve, can we ask you to help us today with a contribution to the Illinois Republican Party?

Your donation today will help us gear up for the big fight ahead before next November.

We’re looking forward to working with you next year and hope you’ll get actively involved today.

Sincerely,

Anthony Sarros
Executive Director

* We’ll end with this press release…

The Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) is proud to announce that it will host Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan at its annual candidate’s brunch which will be held on Feb. 16, 2020 at Niko’s Restaurant in Bridgeview.

Madigan is one of the state’s most successful and powerful Democratic legislators and the architect of the Democratic takeover of the State of Illinois.

Under Madigan’s leadership, the Democratic Party has become stronger and more effective in Illinois, sweeping the statewide elections last year.

“Speaker Madigan is a role model for anyone who supports Democracy and public service to the taxpayers,” said AADC Executive Director Samir Khalil.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:00 pm

Comments

“The four political committees controlled by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) amassed more than $1 million in the last week”

A few more weeks like that and Mike Madigan will be a real force to reckon with.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:03 pm
=== For most, December is a time to gather with friends and family and celebrate the spirit of the holiday season.

For Mike Madigan, December is just another month where his cronies in the corrupt Illinois Democratic crime ring dodge federal investigators, coerce community leaders, and advance their self-serving political agendas.===

Usually the person who says this at Christmas is the one who hyperventilates and ends up in the egg nog bowl.

Guess the ILRaunerites can’t get folks to donate for positive things or accomplishments?

Ah, good times, the holidays.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:06 pm
If Mark Batinick’s seat isn’t already safe R, it’s all just sound and fury signifying very little and the Dems will hold the veto proof majority regardless of who wins that seat.

A more interesting question is whether Grant Wehrli, Deanne Mazzochi and Amy Grant are willing to disclosure in public who they support for President in November.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:06 pm
Not a bad move on Batinick’s part IMHO, encountered someone running for state rep at my train station (Rt 59 so the Aurora,Naperville border) she was a Democrat challenger and she talked about how she wanted to change the way things were done in Springfield, special interests, etc. So I just asked “Would you support Mike Madigan for another term as speaker?”

She danced around that question like an experienced candidate.

If your argument for getting elected is
“protecting our health care, creating new jobs, providing real tax relief ” it seems asking if the person who has controled the state house for the last X years while those things didn’t happen (property tax relief in particular) is a legit and effective question.

Also it isn’t that hard of question (or it shouldn’t be) is it? The only (and not a bad) reason not to answer it is because the answer (whatever it is) is going to turn people off.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:08 pm
-Speaker Madigan is a role model for anyone who supports Democracy and public service to the taxpayers-

Who could doubt such profound words?

Comment by Steve Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:08 pm
I guess uncle Brucie isn’t giving Mr Sarros any love this year.

Comment by Wow Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:13 pm
Oi.

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:13 pm
The best part of IBEW’s massive contribution to Madigan was that, just 2 months prior, they cut him a check for $2,500. Why go through the bother?

And how does one settle on $502,880? Is $500,000 even too conspicuous? Is $2,880 earmarked for a holiday party?

Comment by City Zen Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:13 pm
Governor Pritzker sends a powerful condemnation of Illinois politicians involved in corruption during the holiday season.

https://tinyurl.com/qmed3bt

Comment by Steve Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:19 pm
- Steve -

If you’re gonna keep advertising your blog here with links, how about just *buying* an ad from Rich?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:21 pm
== we’re excited at our plans to shut down this Democrat crime ring===
I though it was the Fed’s job to prosecute any crimes. What is the ILGOP plan that it’s excited to do?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:22 pm
12/13/2019…Mike Madigan’s most powerful day…yet.

Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:24 pm
Rowland should first ask Sen. McConnell what he would do if a leading politician of his political party has scandals or legal/political trouble, as in the upcoming impeachment.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:25 pm
People who can’t get to 30 and 60 including people who find IPI and Center Square, blame MJM for their failures. MJM may depart or he may not; doesn’t mean the money behind IPI and Centre Square is any closer to 30 and 60. But after their track record over the last decade, maybe they need to see someone else suffer, too.

Comment by DIstant watcher Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:27 pm
Like Omar says in the Wire, “You come at the king, you best not miss.” So far all who have came for Madigan have missed and paid for it. I don’t blame the governor for not risking his agenda for taking on Madigan. Especially with the chance the feds might take care of him for you.

Comment by MetroEast Bluedog Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:34 pm
===Public, frontal attacks almost never work on MJM. They usually end in political disaster.===

You’d think people would have learned that by now.

Comment by Nick Name Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 12:59 pm
Samir Khalil, fire your PR writer.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 1:03 pm
That was me offering Samir the advice on HR matters above.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 1:09 pm
===Samir Khalil, fire your PR writer.===
The headquarters for the AADC is at 4712 W 63rd St, Chicago, which is in the 22nd Representative District, which is represented by, YOU GUESSED IT, Michael J. Madigan.

Comment by Nuke the Whales Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 1:14 pm
===https://tinyurl.com/qmed3bt===

Profound insights, thanks for sharing /s

Comment by njt Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 1:16 pm
“Speaker Madigan is a role model for anyone that supports Democracy”.

Yeah, no.

Comment by SSL Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 1:19 pm
A few more weeks like that and Mike Madigan will be a real force to reckon with.

MrJM…again.

Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 1:36 pm
=instead of pandering with a partisan agenda,” Benton said in the statement.=

LOL, hypocrisy at its finest.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 2:03 pm
Batinick never once even mentioned the name of the person running against him last election.

He’s scared this time.

It’s not a safe R seat any longer like it once was.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 2:33 pm
“The largest cash infusions came from organized labor”

Many workers in Illinois know who butters their bread. It’s Madigan, not right wingers. That’s a big key to political success in Illinois, supporting unions.

Illinois is not Indiana, Tennessee and other low-income red states with fewer employee rights that right wingers want us to be for a reason. Scream against Madigan as many do, but who do large numbers workers turn to, Madigan or right wingers? When right wingers call union busting employee freedom? Many workers know otherwise.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 2:55 pm
Why is the ILGOP joining in on the “War on Christmas” with “celebrate the spirit of the holiday season” in it’s fundraiser letter? Mike Madigan won’t let them say Christmas?

Comment by Cold of Winter Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 3:00 pm
==Mike Madigan won’t let them say Christmas?

==
Madigan and the keyboards he controls

Comment by another millennial Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 4:00 pm