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* Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) defeated GOP Rep. Peter Breen in 2018…
After careful thought and deliberation, I am calling for Michael J. Madigan to resign as Speaker of the House and Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
The sworn statements in the U.S. Attorney’s agreement with Commonwealth Edison detail a years-long scheme of payoffs and bribery involving many of Speaker Madigan’s closest allies. Even if he was not directly involved in this scheme, these accusations clearly demonstrate that the Speaker’s leadership has failed.
Speaker Madigan has a duty to recognize that these allegations have cast a deep shadow on the reputation of our House. He must take action now to avoid inflicting further damage on the members of the House and the Democratic Party.
Speaker Madigan has not been charged with any crime, and he — like all of us — is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process. But the corruption and unethical behavior that have been revealed by this investigation make it impossible for Rep. Madigan to continue in his leadership roles. I hope he will do the honorable thing and step down.
*** UPDATE *** And another one…
This morning I electronically delivered a letter to Speaker Madigan's office demanding he step down as Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/EN8XueKAyR
— Stephanie Kifowit (@RepKifowit) July 30, 2020
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:17 pm
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The progressive wing is sharpening the knives for his leadership spots.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:21 pm
It’s crazy that this is unique among the dem’s. Come on.
Comment by Rutro Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:27 pm
Donnie — Costa Howard is not really part of the progressive wing She represents the People’s Republic of Glen Ellyn.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:28 pm
===The progressive wing===
She voted against the minimum wage bill last year, man.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:32 pm
How much money did the Speaker give Rep Costa-Howard in the ‘18 cycle?
Hope she knows how to raise money?
Or is this coordinated and she’ll still get her money and vote correctly in January?
Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:33 pm
I would call Terra a Democrat, certainly not a progressive. She’s also running against Breen again in DuPage County. In my humble (albeit slightly cynical) opinion, politically, she had to make a strong statement.
Comment by Centennial Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:39 pm
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Terra Costa Howard. Please, Please Please JB and fellow Democratic Reps and Senators join this effort. Show courage. We will support you.
Comment by Progressives rock Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:40 pm
MJM is a net-negative for House Dems.
If members will not replace him as Speaker, voters will replace their members.
MJM’s fundraising prowess in elections past means nothing if MJM is siphoning off most of the money coming in now for his legal expenses and donors are skittish about sending more checks his way so as to avoid US Atty heat.
Here’s hoping more House Dems see the light and take back power for themselves. Thank you Rep. Costa Howard.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:41 pm
I’m impressed and appreciate this statement, regardless if there was or was not political motives.
==…inflicting further damage on the members of the House and the Democratic Party==
Also, I translate that into your actions could cost us seats we gained in the suburbs.
Comment by twowaystreet Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:43 pm
Looks like the Madigan peeps are round tabling the pro Madigan anti Terra Costs Howard comments. Let’s hope conservative, moderate and liberals can join in the let’s retire MJM movement.
Comment by Frumpy white guy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:44 pm
Good for her, and it feels wrong calling it ‘bold’ because it’s the right call. Now we must keep an eye out on the reliable MJM/Dem Majority donors that supported her in 2018, and see if they have a change of heart. Let’s not forget Rep. Cassidy’s comment when MJM called her to reassure her he did not direct anyone to retaliate against her, “You didn’t have to direct those actions. This is how it works. This is what happens. People close to you take care of things…” The system is built to silence suppress any sort of rebellion against the status quo.
Comment by Feeling reflective Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:51 pm
“He must take action now to avoid inflicting further damage on the members of the House and the Democratic Party.”
What she said.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:51 pm
Frank talks — yeah, nobody would notice if Rep. Costa Howard kept on receiving money from a Madigan-led DPI. That would just slide right under the radar without comment. That is absolutely what’s going to happen. How incredibly fiendish — and how amazingly clever you were to latch onto their little scheme.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:52 pm
Looking forward to seeing who else decides to take a principled stand here on Madigan. Enough of this “if true” stuff IMO. It’s not only the morally right thing to do, it’s good politics.
Comment by Moderate Mike Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:55 pm
He’s a goner. Time to start the over/under on the date Madigan will step down as Speaker.
I’ll start with August 15.
Comment by Bobby McGee Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:56 pm
@Bobby McGee - I’ll take the over.
Comment by Scorekeeper Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:01 pm
All that campaign cash and nobody to spend it on. To the post: Well-crafted. Avoids the mealy mouth “if true” qualification without disregarding the presumption of innocent until proven guilty.
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:05 pm
I’m not sure if this starts the ball rolling toward the end of Michael Madigan’s tenure as speaker. Just feels so good to hear a democrat with the courage to speak out and do the right thing. I’m just gonna sit back and enjoy the happy endorphins that are flooding my body.
Comment by Annoy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:13 pm
Hey Mike, you might want to start calling the state reps again. Be sure to talk about that big campaign contribution you got from your union guys. Show them those big muscles.
Comment by Frumpy white guy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:18 pm
What is the old expression? The only votes that matter are the ones for Speaker and the rules? Suddenly going off the reservation cant be well taken in Room 300.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:22 pm
As in Casablanca:
“I’m shocked…shocked that there is gambling in this establishment.”
“Your winnings, Captain”
Comment by northsider (the original) Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:24 pm
Where is the OW shill ? Let’s hear how the speaker is immune
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:26 pm
Well since she gave up running against Durbin maybe she can become speaker or Queen of England. I don’t want Breen back but maybe she can be lucky twice
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:26 pm
@ all of you
Comment by Illinois makes me cringe Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:30 pm
@DuPage Saint — are you possibly confusing Terra Costa Howard with Anne Stava-Murray? Because, apart from being females with triple-barreled names, they’re not really that similar….
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:37 pm
Judy Baar Topinka and Dawn Clark Netsch would’ve really thrown him for a loop, huh?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:48 pm
===Or is this coordinated…=
While it might seem extreme to suggest a member call for his own resignation, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if she was nudged in that direction by leadership or staff. It’s been in the Tier 1 playbook in the past…
I doubt that’s happening here, just sayin’
Bobby McGee - I’ll take the over too. It’s really the only leverage he has with the G any more. He’s not resigning until the investigation is over, one way or the other.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:56 pm
MJM — having met both ladies, I think the appropriate response is …
Literally
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:02 pm
I mean
MrJM
yikes
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:02 pm
The question I have?
Is she part of the 15, which had the Madigan number at 59 (untenable) or does this now get deep into 58, or 57?
It’s rhetorical, for my own… pondering.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:12 pm
== He’s a goner. Time to start the over/under on the date Madigan will step down as Speaker
I’ll start with August 15.====
I will take that bet. Possibly Dem Party Chairman if their annual meeting includes a vote on a new leader. But they don’t even go back into session until November. No way he quits as speaker until after the election and looks at his roll call. If he is confident he has 60 he stays. If not he retires
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:16 pm
A deal will come. He will get one more term as speaker for redistricting and retire. He is below 60 but who else in the party would get 58 or 59 votes? Long time until January. If more ethics concerns or worse comes out from the Feds I will retract my statement.
Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:23 pm
1st Ward @ 6:23 pm:
“… He is below 60 but who else in the party would get 58 or 59 votes?…”
Doesn’t have to be in the party, just a member in the House. Given the extent of the corruption outlined by the U. S. Atty., a bipartisan coalition to clean House is conceivable.
Comment by Anon III Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:45 pm
“Doesn’t have to be in the party”
agree but given the super-majority status the party decides. In addition, if the D’s lose super majority status they will have more than 60 in the house next year. The party still decides. Bipartisan support will not be needed to get to 60.
Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:58 pm
=== In addition, if the D’s lose super majority status they will have more than 60 in the house next year.===
Looking around, is there -3 House seats in HDems’ future?
What do Raunerites offer?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:03 pm
“Looking around, is there -3 House seats in HDems’ future? What do Raunerites offer?”
Bingo. Have 73 only need 60. The progressive wing can push for police reform, housing, etc. to be brought to the floor and a timeline for Madigan to step down (2 or 4 years). You get the block and are above 60 with super majority in tact. Steans, Howard, and one or two others can vote against him. Everyone wins except Raunerites.
Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:19 pm
Steans is in the Senate.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:20 pm
lNsVZWmHEPGU
Comment by TStcXAULs Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:42 pm
gxDsaXRhoTIB
Comment by aledcRZqiL Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:42 pm
Rep who? Lol.
Comment by Hmmmmmmmmm Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 8:10 pm
We all just going to pretend that DuPage saint isn’t Peter Breen? Dude definitely had the ego to cannonize himself.
Comment by Commisar Gritty Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 8:16 pm
In a strange way I am appreciating the patriotism of Richard Nixon. He refused to challenge JFK in 1960 despite probable election fraud in Illinois and Texas. He got rid of Agnew and put in a decent VP in Ford. That made a impeaching him easier. When it came down to the wire, he did not try to hold on with 34 votes in the Senate.
If Madigan loved the State more than himself, he would resign.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 8:32 pm
Last Bull Moose —
Yes, and if my aunt wheels she’d be a teacart.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 8:46 pm
==When it came down to the wire, he did not try to hold on with 34 votes in the Senate.==
Could’ve had something to do with him being on tape directing an aide to engage in obstruction of justice…
Comment by John Deere Green Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 8:50 pm
===- TStcXAULs - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:42 pm:
lNsVZWmHEPGU
aledcRZqiL - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:42 pm:
gxDsaXRhoTIB===
The Russians are in the house.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 8:56 pm
Good on Costa-Howard. Now JB needs to send her a big donation, show her and other House members that Madigan isn’t the only dem who can provide campaign funding. It’s the best way for JB to send a message without publicly demanding that Madigan resign (which JB seems intent on not doing)
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 9:23 pm
===Everyone wins except Raunerites.===
Rauner is probably doing wheelies on his Harley right now.
Comment by justacitizen Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 9:52 pm
=== ===Everyone wins except Raunerites.===
Rauner is probably doing wheelies on his Harley right now.===
Rauner was humiliated, tried to get 4 people to replace him to stave off that humiliation and in the end made all Democrats, not just Madigan, more powerful and dominant in Illinois politics.
Rauner doing wheelies, even of joy, is peak Rauner folly to his own narcissistic failures… and also a confirmation it was never about Illinois, only about his pettiness.
The Dems will survive without Madigan. I know that.
Rauner imploded a whole party that will take years to find any relevance.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 10:10 pm
Bold move, question is who ya gonna call when the polling numbers get tight in October.
Comment by theCardinal Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 11:38 pm
While we’re speaking of Rauner, anybody else see him ride his bike away from an event, only to load it onto a truck and take a limo the rest of the way? I saw that when he left the Lincoln luncheon in Morris a few years back. Absolute huckster
Comment by Commisar Gritty Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 11:51 pm
Remember when going negative on Madigan propelled Rauner to many electoral and legislative victories? ha. ha. ha.
Comment by Illinois makes me cringe Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:52 am
===propelled Rauner to many electoral===
MJM lost seats in 2016, an otherwise big Democratic year in Illinois.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:37 am
One very narrow observation: striking that all the legislators called for MJM’s resignation as Speaker are women.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:46 am
=Rauner is probably doing wheelies on his Harley right now.=
At the time of Rauner’s relection campaign Madigan’s popularity had been driven down to the the mid 20% range. Rauner still lost and the Dems ended up with more seats and every state wide office. After 4 years Rauner was never able to translate Madigan’s low popularity into anything meaningful for the Republican party. No budget, legislative victories and a state party that was left in worse shape than when he started and still looking to find its way.
And having said all that I do believe that Madigan should step aside.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:49 am
Dan — your point is well taken.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:53 am
= all the legislators called for MJM’s resignation as Speaker are women.=
A bit of a pickle given some of the Speaker’s recent challenges with his staff. Now maybe it’s just a coincidence given that only a handful of legislator’s have called for his resignation. But if the early trend continues it will be another aspect of this that the Dem’s have to manage. At some point it has to be more trouble than it’s worth particularly when the calls are coming from within the party.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:24 am
“[Nixon] got rid of Agnew and put in a decent VP in Ford. That made a impeaching him easier.”
Steven Ambrose, the Boyd Professor of History at the University of New Orleans, wrote three volumes on the life and presidency of Richard M. Nixon.
In his concluding third volume, Ambrose reported that Nixon’s chief of staff, H.R. “Bob” Haldeman, said “Nixon picked Ford because he reasoned that as the members of the House knew Ford so intimately, they would never impeach Nixon if it meant Ford would become President.”
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 10:28 am