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* The Question: Should House Speaker Michael Madigan resign? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…

bike trails

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:19 pm

Comments

Indictment or no indictment his office has clearly become the center of a very large bribery scheme. Even if he himself is never implicated (ha) it still would have happened under his watch.

He should no longer be speaker. That’s just simple accountability.

Comment by Nick Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:22 pm
Yes and all his caucus members should be calling for him to resign

Comment by Marquee Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:22 pm
I voted yes. He’s too old. Just like me.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:23 pm
I second Anonymous at 1:21 PM.

I put no…for now. Ask again in a week or two.

Comment by CubsFan16 Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:23 pm
Madigan needs to resign for the health of the Illinois Democratic Party. By stepping down, he would be saying his individual career is not as important as the party.

Comment by Curious citizen Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:24 pm
If we as a state are ready to start the cleansing process and put control back into the hands of the people then the Caucus and Illinois Democrats should be calling for his exit from state government.

Comment by FKL Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:24 pm
Yes, without question.

People in the comments seem to be invoking the Arroyo precedent and believe that an indictment should trigger his resignation. I fear Madigan will invoke the Burke precedent and refuse to resign. He needs to step down, and should have done so a long time ago.

Comment by TKMH Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:25 pm
Yes, but he won’t, and only those on the fringes of his party will call for it at this point. If he gets indicted, then that will change.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:25 pm
If an indictment is imminent (and he likely knows the answer to that) then yes.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:26 pm
Question is a bit too vague. Resign as:

Speaker?

Representative?

Chairman?

All the above?

Personally, I think he will hang on and, if push comes to shove, use his resignation as a bargaining chip.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:26 pm
Yes, I think it would be best if these allegations are true.

Next question–if Madigan does step down, who will be the likely candidates to replace him as Speaker? That might be another QOTD for Monday or some other day.

Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:27 pm
As Chairman of the state party, yes. The party shouldn’t be run by person at the center of corruption investigation.

As Speaker of the House, yes. Same reason as above.

As State Representative, I am inclined to say yes, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt here and say not until he has been indicted.

Comment by twowaystreet Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:27 pm
If he’s indicted yes. Madigan stood between the toxin of Rauner and cohorts and the people in Illinois. That alone earns him the right to stay until there is real, publically dislosed evidence of corruption.

Comment by Froganon Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:28 pm
I voted yes, it’s time for him to retire and for the party and caucus to move on. The times have changed and so has the party and it’s time for the speaker to pass the baton on to the next generation who can modernize the party and caucus. I had a feeling that the Speaker was about to retire soon anyways and the announcement today will only speed things up.

Comment by QC Man Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:28 pm
The constituents decide who represents them at the ballot box. I’m not a constituent of his district. If his voters want that then that should occur. Why what has long been rumored change that? Is this really news to them?

The question today should be Should Mike Madigan step down as speaker. The answer to that should be a resounding yes given i’m represented by a house member in his caucus that voted for him to be the elected leader of the Illinois House and Illinois Democrat Party.

Comment by 1st Ward Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:28 pm
Do I *think* he should resign?

Yes.

Do I think the smartest and savviest and “best” thing is force resignation upon indictment?

Yes

If Madigan holds out until indictment, it will help Dems hammer the “Arroyo Rule” to fully rebuke, with a precedent, and speak in one voice, and help in the fall.

Do I think he should resign? Yes.

Really can’t measure the thinking to wait it out, except for the legal side. The indictment seals his fate.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:29 pm
Yes, if not as speaker right away at least as party chair.

If he is indicted then immediately as speaker also.

Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:30 pm
Hate to say this but it’s time for MJM to resign. It would be most helpful to Democrats running for office in Illinois.

Comment by Frumpy white guy Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:30 pm
He should no doubt resign. He was identified in a federal prosecution agreement for bribery and was a co-conspirator. Alas, this is IL and politicians usually have to be dragged out in handcuffs and that is what will occur. Heres to hoping its a pre dawn raid.

Comment by Ghost of Lincoln Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:31 pm
He should resign. But resigning his position is still one Arrow and the plea deal quiver.

Comment by Southsider Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:32 pm
Resign? I voted no as that’s for his District to decide. Step down as Speaker? Absolutely.

Comment by Now What? Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:33 pm
He should resign and then hopefully like in a
Sc-Fi movie when you destroy the host - the
hive/swarm that he controls dies also.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:35 pm
Yes. ComEd has admitted they believed they were bribing him. Enough.

Comment by LakeviewJ Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:36 pm
Voted yes. He had his chance to retire and go out on top and spend his declining years enjoying his grandchildren. Now he will probably spend them in an orange jumpsuit in a federal pounding in the *** prison. I will come right out and say it; I am hoping for an indictment.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:36 pm
Under normal circumstances yes. But Trump has affected the way we have been operating. Our justice department, our FBI are not functioning normally. Let the Grand Jury see the evidence. Then decide.

Comment by Gedge Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:38 pm
Yes he should resign. It is the right thing to do.

He won’t though. He’s too smart and realizes that this process is just that- a process and he gains nothing from throwing in the towel.

Comment by Winderweezle Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:39 pm
Absolutely, regardless of an impending indictment. He has built a culture rife with bullying, patronage, and shaky (if not absent) ethics, sexual harassment, racism and more- all in an effort to institutionalize his power. I do not accept any time he defends himself by saying “I didn’t know,” about a particular accusation of wrong doing in his organization - because he built it to be that way and he has set the tone from the top.

Comment by revolution Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:41 pm
Same as with Burke, I think he really needs to think about what he wants to accomplish by sticking around. Is there a policy agenda to push? If it’s all about winning seat, that’s counteracted by serving as the main GOP talking point statewide. If it’s just about staying in power or because he likes his job (I don’t blame him), those aren’t good enough reasons for being a public servant.

He might survive all this. He probably will. But at what cost?

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:42 pm
“a fish rots from the head down”

Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:43 pm
If indicted? Absolutely.

I suspect that’s coming, but at this point it hasn’t.

Comment by thunderspirit Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:44 pm
Voted yes but a better question is who will take the “necessary steps “to force him out? Karma baby.

Comment by pool boy Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:45 pm
Right now, no. If indicted, that will switch to yes, immediately.

Comment by AnonymousFool Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:46 pm
Voting ‘Yes’. If he cares at all about the health of the Democratic Party he should resign immediately. He is putting all of the members into an extremely uncomfortable situation, especially considering we are in an election year.

Having said that, I seriously doubt he will resign until an indictment is handed down.

Comment by Dancing Bears Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:46 pm
Liked Blue Dog Dem’s answer. Not a bad way to look at the resigning issue. No question he has had a long run and done some good things.
Pritzker has already abandoned him and he must know his friends in the GA will be next.
The old saying “the first one on the bus gets the best seat” is probably still true.
Not saying he is guilty of anything, but times change and things that were ok years ago can be viewed as not ok now. If Madigan has any tales to tell, he could get the keys to the bus.
Look at ComEd - - Basically off the hook so far and paying a fine with other people’s money.
I am sure he has a lot of good old friends, but Springfield is going to “Springfield” and it may be time to review some other options.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:52 pm
He should resign as Speaker and party chair. He need not resign from his district seat at this time. His voters will soon take care of that.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:53 pm
Yes, he and the party are taking on lots of water with this new legal action in Northern Illinois. He should fight the good fight on the legal front, which may in the end clear him. But in politics, which is a game of perception, he should step aside or step down as soon as possible.

Comment by Downstate Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:56 pm
=He need not resign from his district seat at this time. His voters will soon take care of that.=

Ed Burke might disagree with you.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:59 pm
No. Not today anyway. Eventually, probably.

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 1:59 pm
I voted yes. Madigan’s legal jeopardy is only the beginning, not the end of the analysis. His continued leadership will make it very hard for House Dems to maintain their supermajority status, and create endless distractions at a time when we need unity, both bipartisan (COVID response) and party (graduated tax). Although I fear his resignation will cause chaos, his presence will be even worse.

Comment by Not a Superstar Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:00 pm
With the hits on the Durbin family’s lobbying, the Governor’s tax breaks and now the Speaker’s major problems with the federal authorities, may be time for some new leadership in this party as well. This “blue” state can change its colors if Dems continue to use public office as a personal cash ATM

Comment by Downstate Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:00 pm
He should resign from everything, he is completely ineffective with this stink on him even if he doesn’t get indicted

Comment by Rutro Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:03 pm
I voted yes. I have defended his right to be there and defended him against “implied” corruption in the past, but if one of his caucus members or leadership team members was in the same situation as him - he would have forced that person out.

Regardless of the final outcome, this damages the process as well as the party. he is now a liability and he should resign.

Comment by Siriusly Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:04 pm
Voted no. The man has stayed on top and outlasted many attacks. He knows what he did and did not do. If he thinks he is on the right side of the law then he will want to fight.

But is he willing to spend what it might take to “win”?

Comment by don the legend Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:05 pm
To Downstate’s point above, there are always more Dems who want to be leaders. If any one of them move on - there are more leaders ready to go - the party does not exist to serve them

Comment by Siriusly Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:06 pm
I think the charges (If any) should dictate what he does. Innocent till proven guilty is the legal bar. It should be the same for Mr. Madigan.

Comment by Retired Educator Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:07 pm
Voted no but only for now, because I want to see what they’ve actually got on him. If the feds can even partially land the tuna, then of course he should step down.

Comment by ZC Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:15 pm
At this point, no. As much as I have wanted him gone, no, not yet.
As others said, that may change.

Comment by SOIL M Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:15 pm
I voted yes. The official statement reads like every other official statement produced by guilty parties. I think he should resign, but have a hunch he will not.

Comment by Vote Quimby Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:17 pm
Yes he needs to resign as Speaker of the IL House of Rep. With our without an indictment resigning is the proper next step. But, then again, what is “proper” in IL government left town a long time ago. It’s not too late to restore trust and rebuild public confidence in state government.

Comment by Kane County Resident Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:22 pm
I voted NO because if he says publicly he didn’t break the law and is going to cooperate in the investigation then let it play out. We still are a society where you are innocent until proven guilty and I’m sure he’s been accused of things like this before.

Just some advice Mr. Madigan don’t return call from Tom DeVore.

Comment by Just thinking out loud Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:22 pm
Yes, at best people around him were taking things of value with the implication they were influencing him. Being unaware of that is not an effective defense.

Also the longer he stays the longer the “can you trust these guys” is an issue

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:23 pm
For some context, $200 Million is more than everyone tied to Trump combined and Dems have been demanding he resign for 3 years.

Also for context, if Trump loses Biden shuts this down and it never happened.

Comment by the Patriot Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:26 pm
Unfortunately, yes. The time has come and the wound too deep.

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:30 pm
Voted no. Would vote yes if he is indicted.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:31 pm
Resign. No matter if he did anything technically illegal, it’s hard for us downstate Dems to run with than man as the head of the party and a leader in Springfield. We need fresh faces and more transparency.

Comment by HappyDumpsterFire Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:36 pm
Nope. If they had the goods they would have indicted him today. They didn’t.

Comment by northsider (the original) Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:54 pm
I voted yes.

I believe it is best for the legislature for him to resign, best for the ability of our legislative branch to continue the work of the people, and I think it is best for the Democratic Party of Illinois in the long run.

I will concede that I recognize and would understand maintaining innocence and no culpability and remaining in his seat, and remaining on the ballot — however he can also remove himself from the ballot — until there is an indictment, which again could be many months from now.

I think it would be a mistake for him to be reelected as Speaker. But we all see different writing on the wall.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:01 pm
Voted “yes” for many reasons.

Too many years (although a part of me is glad he was there to take on Rauner) in the office of Speaker AND representative.

His ethics have been questionable on a good day

This current issue is also a real problem.

He won’t leave until they drag him out though.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:07 pm
For four long years, many of us felt that Speaker Madigan should stay in power — despite credible allegations and the evident misdeeds of some of those closest to him — in order to combat the unique danger posed by Bruce Rauner.

Well, Bruce Rauner is gone.

Michael J. Madigan should resign as Speaker and party chair.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:08 pm
If he says he did not do it then he should not resign it is that simply to me. If a person did not do something they should not have to generally pay a penalty for correct action. Guilt has to be proven in court otherwise we have no system.

Comment by cler dec Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:23 pm
Nothing to see here , move along , vote them In again as a reward for past service . Should be some fun discussions tonight in grand beach Michigan

Comment by Curious George Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:24 pm
He should have retired.

Somewhere on the north side Blago is jogging through an alley and chuckling.

Comment by Uptown Girl Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:31 pm
It’s just too much, even if not indicted. the web is unseemly.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:33 pm
No. He hasn’t even been accused of anything. Yet.

Comment by Michael Westen Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:36 pm
oh, and Dem Central Committeepersons, use your rules and sends him off as party chair. Replace him or you will be doing damage to your party.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:37 pm
I guess the answer depends on the perspective. Should he resign for the good of the State, for the good of his party, or for the good of himself?

I think the answer to the first two is yes. The answer to the last one is no. Considering that Madigan has always been about Madigan and no one else, I don’t expect a resignation until enough Democrats step up to force him out.

Comment by Pelonski Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:41 pm
Wouldn’t resigning now lessen his negotiating position?

Comment by Logic not emotion Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:52 pm
Voted No, for the points RNUG and Gedge make.
The Speaker wears many hats, and has no incentive to give any up- at this point. Additionally-anything the Feds do at this point- must be seen though the lense of Trump’s reelection. The depth of corruption of justice at the Just Us Department is too profound to ignore.

Comment by West Sider Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:21 pm
Moral authority? What’s that? Of course he should resign. Will he? No.

Comment by The Ford Lawyer Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:24 pm