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MJM calling around to his members

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News: Speaker Madigan in damage control mode. Several House Democrats tell me he’s placing personal calls to gauge their support for him. This comes as six Democrats in the legislature — all women so far — have called for him to immediately resign. He’s feeling pressure.

— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) July 30, 2020

…Adding… NBC 5…

Four Democratic Illinois lawmakers told NBC 5 Thursday that House Speaker Michael Madigan contacted them individually to ask if he should step down, as calls for him to resign continue to grow after he was implicated in a federal court filing alleging a bribery scheme with ComEd that lasted nearly a decade.

One of the legislators said Madigan called at around 9 a.m. Thursday. Another lawmaker who Madigan consulted said they told him he should not resign - saying that Democrats needed to focus on defeating President Donald Trump in November, and that a vacancy in party leadership less than 100 days before the election would harm that effort.

NBC 5 is not identifying the lawmakers, who requested anonymity to openly discuss the ongoing developments. A spokesman for Madigan did not immediately respond to request for comment.

…Adding… I told subscribers about this earlier…

The sources, two members of Madigan’s 73-member House majority, said the 78-year-old speaker was asking members of his caucus if they agreed with two Democrats, state Reps. Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn and Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego, who have asked Madigan to step down from his governmental post. Howard also said Madigan should resign as state Democratic chair.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:20 pm

Comments

I am anxiously awaiting my call.

Comment by pool boy Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:23 pm
Chairman Burke was easily replaceable. So is Speaker Madigan

Comment by Marquee Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:24 pm
Well this is going to be an interesting afternoon.

Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:26 pm
$10 bucks says he’s using a burner phone

Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:28 pm
=== Chairman Burke was easily replaceable. So is Speaker Madigan ===

Time will tell.

Comment by Powdered Whig Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:29 pm
The time has come,’ the Walrus said,
To talk of many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —
Of apples — and kings —

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:29 pm
Boy is he old school. Put them on the hot seat before they get any farther down the path to revolt. There will be a few legislators that all the sudden lost their phone or went on vacation once they hear of this.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:30 pm
What was the over and under on him resigning?

Comment by Nieva Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:31 pm
The standard bearer for the Republican party right now is Darren Bailey and there’s no sign of that changing anytime soon. I think the Dems will be just fine without MJM.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:32 pm
Everyone’s answer should be, “it’s time Mike.”

Even if he decides to quit, it won’t happen until after the election.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Can we get Rivers to add this to their sports book? action on date of resignation, number of members, will he or won’t he resign, Who the new Speaker will be. The money that could be made.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Whoever took the over on August 15 yesterday is on shaky ground today. Still a long way to go, though, and a lot of campaign cash in play controlled by sharp, ruthless politician. The gentlemen in the GA are going have to summon a good bit more intestinal fortitude than has been displayed thus far. Time to man up.

Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:35 pm
Hello Mr. Speaker…Lee Daniels here.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:37 pm
===Even if he decides to quit, it won’t happen until after the election.===

What would be the upside of this? The party has more to gain for him leaving now. What do they gain from him resigning after the election?

Comment by twowaystreet Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:37 pm
Dialing for dollars in reverse

For those that understand Latin quid pro quo

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:38 pm
Now’s the time, “The 73”.

Don’t say you never had a say.

This is it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:40 pm
“What do they gain from him resigning after the election?”

Would they avoid a messy leadership fight right before the election?

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:42 pm
He should call Willy …..obviously not a House Member….but the adulation will make him feel better for awhile.

Comment by SIU Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:43 pm
Why do I suspect most of these calls at some point involve the phrase ‘I would like to remind you…’
Also I see someone handing him a plain manilla folder before each call.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:43 pm
This. This has meaning. When they, in both chambers and his own party, come out publicly and say he needs to step down for the good of the chamber or the party would also publicly state, when asking him to step aside, that they will not vote for him as Speaker or Party Chair he might start to understand where he stands. It would also show voters that members stand.

Comment by 618er Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:45 pm
==Can we get Rivers to add this to their sports book? action on date of resignation, number of members, will he or won’t he resign, Who the new Speaker will be. The money that could be made.==

Could Revenue turn this idea into a new Lottery game? Anything to allow the State to keep the funds to reduce the deficit.

Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:45 pm
Are the Saputo’s owner and employees among those receiving the calls?

Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:47 pm
“Would they avoid a messy leadership fight right before the election?”

There won’t be a public leadership fight i.e. changing speaker before the election. This would require going to Springfield and voting. They aren’t returning until next year.

Comment by 1st Ward Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:47 pm
===… but the adulation will make him feel better for awhile.===

I’m a pretty “glass half-full” kinda guy. Get me Waffle House, Golf, the Cubs, and a Carolina beach. That’ll help.

:)

He’s never heard of me. These thoughts of my “status“ are greatly exaggerated.

To the post,

I do wonder how this is being measured… is it “until we get 15 recorded no members, I’m good?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:48 pm
Madigan is nearly 80 years old and should just retire. What’s it worth anymore? Go out on top, on the winds of your party’s electoral and policy accomplishments of 2019. Hubris. Hubris can be lethal or damaging to the long-unscathed, who stay in the game for one play too long.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:55 pm
Calling in favor for the clock

“Capitol Fax reported this morning that Mike Madigan showered his legislative enablers this week with engraved crystal clocks”

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:55 pm
I am going to guess there are members saying go out on your on accord or more public statements are coming. That number that causes Madigan to step-down will be for him to determine.

Comment by twowaystreet Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:03 pm
That’s a lot of dialing on a rotary phone.

Comment by Jose Abreu's Next Homer Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:06 pm
Yeah, just tell your largest benefactor and the person that can make or break you directly that you don’t support him anymore. No pressure.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:08 pm
Crystal clocks or crystal glocks?

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:11 pm
“And you get a leadership position. And you get a leadership position. Everyone get’s a leadership position (exclamation point).”

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:11 pm
“Who? I thought he didn’t use the phone…send him through please.”
“Hello, Speaker, Rep. (?) here.”
“Yes, I do remember that (project) you helped me with.”
“Why of course I would like to continue our partnership.”
“Mm-hmmm. Yes, I can see how that is a challenge for you.”
“You have guided this state flawlessly for decades, sir.”
“My polls are showing it is hurting my chances. It certainly resonates with my constituents.”
“With all due respect, sir, the times they are a-changin’.”
“No, certainly not like when Mayor Daley was around.”
“Thank you for soliciting my input, Speaker. I am sending you my thoughts and prayers. Goodbye.”
(Whew)

Comment by Vote Quimby Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:14 pm
===No pressure. ===

Ha [banned punctuation]

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:17 pm
Going out on top would have been a year and half ago

He is hardly on top now

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:17 pm
“I been telling you your whole life don’t talk on the F&#$ing phone, Right? Now you understand?

Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:18 pm
be sure to have a hand warmer when answering his call. the ice will come right through the phone.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:25 pm
An interesting response to MJM would be: “But Mr.Speaker, I’m concerned that the noise around ComEd and your speakership will doom the chance for the fair tax amendment.”

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:28 pm
I can’t shake the image of the Speaker doing a Jerry McGuire.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:34 pm
They say that when you aim to take out the boss you better not miss. This is certainly one of those times and Madigan is no ordinary boss.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:37 pm
His roll call tally sheet will have pluses, minuses and voice mails.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:59 pm
I’ve used this quote before from a debate in the Irish Dail in the 1920’s: “Glasnevin [Cemetary] is full of indispensable men”

Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:00 pm
Hello and welcome to Speaker Phone, brought to you by LiUNA and Hot Local 150.

If you know the name of the legislator you’d like to resign, press one.

Using your touch-tone keypad, please enter the first three letters of the legislator now.

You’ve selected, Michael T. Marron? If this is correct, press one.

Why don’t you just tell me if I should resign?

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:11 pm
Note to house dems. When he calls, he’s probably not the only one on the line.

Comment by Birds on the Bat Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:12 pm
How much campaign $$$ does he personally control because he’s Speaker vs how much as head of the party vs his “personal” campaign fund? Seems like that matters a lot given his coming increase in personal expenses. If I were running, I’d wonder what he can do for me lately, especially if he’s facing ongoing multi-million dollar legal expenses.

Comment by natty lite Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:13 pm
“Glasnevin [Cemetary] is full of indispensable men”

So is the unemployment line.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:15 pm
And they say Madigan doesn’t use a phone…

Comment by radio flyer Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:16 pm
=Madigan is nearly 80 years old and should just retire. What’s it worth anymore?=

He won’t go on his own. If he does he cannot control what will come out of the closet. I suspect that the skeletons we do not know about are far worse than the ones we know about.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:17 pm
Natty: Here is a fishing pole: https://www.elections.il.gov/

Comment by SAP Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:17 pm
@City Zen, bravo, bravo

Comment by Jose Abreu's Next Homer Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:25 pm
“He won’t go on his own. If he does he cannot control what will come out of the closet. I suspect that the skeletons we do not know about are far worse than the ones we know about.”

I once said something very similar about Richie Daley.

Guess we’ll see.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:26 pm
If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. Have two relatively new leaders will make for a rambunctious mob of senators and representatives.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:43 pm
-Have two relatively new leaders will make for a rambunctious mob of senators and representatives.-

After what we have had for decades, and where we are, that might be a version of what the late Rep. Lewis would call “good trouble.”

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:59 pm
“If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. ”

I know you didn’t mean it this way, but as I read those words, the term “stockholm syndrome” came to mind.

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:59 pm
=== After what we have had for decades, and where we are, that might be a version of what the late Rep. Lewis would call “good trouble.” ===

Be careful for what you wish for…

Comment by Powdered Whig Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 4:26 pm
What comes next?

You’ve been freed

Do you know how hard it is to lead?

Comment by ZC Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 4:43 pm
Tick … tick … tick …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:24 pm
The Illinois Democrats don’t need Madigan to hang on to the House and Senate this year. His usefulness is over. It would be best for everyone for him to resign everything now rather than later.

It’s difficult to imagine the legislature without him around, but other leaders will emerge. Political life will go on without him.

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:53 pm
“ If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. Have two relatively new leaders will make for a rambunctious mob of senators and representatives.”

Right. Don Harmon is a newbie to leadership, right? And Madigan’s replacement would be some “newbie”? Not likely.

Comment by low level Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:58 pm
== If Madigan resigns, the legislature will run amok. ==

There will be several weeks of maneuvering and consolidating of support … which may have already started behind the scenes. That may be ugly, and the public may never see all of it. Plus, as part of resigning, MJM may (will?) try to play kingmaker.

The Republic will survive, even the State and the Illinois Democrat Party. But the balance of power will have shifted, and the new Speaker most likely will not have as big a power base as MJM enjoyed.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:18 pm
lots of democrats want to see Madigan gone, he has over stayed his welcome

Comment by truthteller Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:29 pm
Which day in late October will the indictments come?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:48 pm
One of the things that Madigan has been good at is party discipline. Any new leader will not have the power or authority to impose any equivalent measure of discipline.

A new Speaker will have to try to wrangle a House membership feeling freedom from Madigan.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 6:55 pm
RNUG - I don’t subscribe to the theory that everything bad in Illinois = Madigan, but I also don’t subscribe to the “only Madigan’s steady hand has preserved us” theory. Curious as to what your views are toward what a post-Madigan Speaker can do/must do to lead the state forward in light the pandemic and developing economic collapse? I know those are really big questions, but your non-partisan insights are one of the highlights of this blog.

Comment by Derek Smalls Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 7:20 pm
Madigan issued a statement. Madigan isn’t resigning, per Amanda Vinicky’s twitter.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 7:59 pm

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MJM calling around to his members

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