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Rep. Pizer calls on Madigan to resign his leadership roles, ties reasoning to Fair Tax

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Illinois

* Appointed Rep. Pizer lost his primary, so he won’t be around a whole lot longer. Even so, more drip, drip, drip..

State Representative Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer (D-12) joins fellow House members in calling for Speaker Michael J. Madigan to resign from his leadership roles as Speaker of the House in the Illinois General Assembly and as Illinois Democratic Party Chairman.

“We’re at a critical time in the history of our community, state, and nation. Over the past few months the importance of strong, honest, and ethical leadership has been made abundantly clear, and adherence to these values has been at the center of my life, campaign, and service in the legislature. Our state is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, grappling with our history of racism and social injustice, and hurting from the economic downturn” said Pizer. “But, we still have an ambitious agenda ahead. We must ensure the passage of the Fair Tax and the Clean Energy Jobs Act, repeal the Parental Notification Act, prevent Illinois from becoming a right-to-work state, and effectively confront police brutality, racial injustice, and institutional discrimination.”

“The recent allegations of wrongdoing that have come to light amid the ComEd investigation are deeply disturbing” said Pizer. “With these allegations and previous ones relating to harassment, corruption and mismanagement, I am troubled by the Speaker’s failure to live up to the high ethical standards that the people of Illinois rightfully deserve from their political leaders. This is a clear violation of the public trust, and Illinois citizens should have full confidence in their elected officials. This is why I am joining other leaders of reform in our party who are now calling on Speaker Madigan to resign immediately as both the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.”

“Although I deeply believe in the bedrock Constitutional presumption of innocence, this is not a court of law, and we cannot wait for the courts to adjudicate and administer their verdict. As legislators, we don’t have to hold the Speaker to a criminal standard of proof or observe rules of evidence in order to demand a change in leadership. There is simply too much at stake in this historical moment, and we cannot tolerate any unnecessary distraction from the important work at hand. Our state’s leadership and the Democratic Party must be committed to zero-tolerance for wrongdoing and corruption - or even the appearance of it” said Pizer.

Pizer concluded, “I urge my fellow members of the Illinois General Assembly to join me in calling for Speaker Madigan’s resignation. This is a principled position which should be met without threats of political retribution from House leaders or staff. With the Speaker’s resignation, I believe we can focus on the critical issues that matter most to our state and our nation.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 10:58 am

Comments

Hopefully many GOP voters get in such a lather over the Fair Tax and Madigan that they come out in droves to vote against cutting their own taxes and drive the vote total to 50% of all voters in the election (improbable though it might be).

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:11 am
Yoni is absolutely correct

Comment by low level Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:17 am
“must be committed to zero-tolerance for wrongdoing and corruption - or even the appearance of it”

decades of zero tolerance on we the people whether it be in schools or the justice system based on the policies passed and rhetoric of the political class. It’s about time someone says zero tolerance on said class.

Comment by 1st Ward Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:22 am
calling for Speaker Madigan’s resignation.

What choice do House Ds really have?

If in a competitive district they can expect to be tied to Madigan, they surely have Madigan’s cash, and so it will be about them enabling corruption.

If in a safe district, they can expect the same next primary from a progressive challenger.

Seems a no-brainer to me.

Comment by Fav Human Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:40 am
Yoni, the people have asked for your involuntary resignation…In fact, they never asked for you to serve at all. Kinda rich for you to opine.

Comment by A Guy Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:49 am
A real profile in courage from the accidently State Rep. He has never had a chance to vote for speaker nor ever will. Kelly Cassidy was one of his biggest backers, so she is likely pushing this agenda through a proxy.

Comment by JFK's Ghost Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:51 am
Mike Madigan needs to go and this year, if before or after the Fall Veto Session. Any delay will mess up the Democrats in 2022. The indictment of the GOP Ohio House Speaker on industry related (if not legally similar) charges are a clear warning

Comment by VerySmallRocks Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 11:52 am
Madigan made Glenn Bradford leave because of some racially charged mailers sent during his campaign to replace Hoffman. Well, ok, fair enough. But a 200,000,000 fine isn’t sufficient for Him to leave? Ok. Got it.

Comment by low level Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:06 pm
=== Kinda rich for you to opine.===

I wonder if Madigan even called him yesterday.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:08 pm
==== I wonder if Madigan even called him yesterday.===

Tough to know, and if the goal was Madigan finding his 59 to hold his position, can’t see MJM seeing Pizer being one of the 59.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:14 pm
==I wonder if Madigan even called him yesterday.==

47, He may have gotten Yoni’s opinion straight from the source when speaking to Rep. Cassidy.

Comment by A Guy Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:17 pm
Though, he likely didn’t call her either.

Comment by A Guy Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:18 pm
=== A real profile in courage from the accidently State Rep. He has never had a chance to vote for speaker nor ever will. ===

So, you are slamming him for arguably doing the right thing?

Comment by Just Observing Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:19 pm
I’m sorry but who?

Comment by The Failing New York Times Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:20 pm
Madigan - who’s Pizer again?
Aide - he’s the appointed representative from the 12th district who lost his primary.
Madigan - so he won’t be voting for me next session to be speaker?
Aide - No, he won’t be in the house next year.
Madigan - so why should I care about what he says?

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:45 pm
Once again, Rep who?

Comment by Hmmmmmmmmm Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:52 pm
low level, I was wondering how long it was going to take someone to dredge up Glenn Bradford’s resignation and the investigation that followed. You have the reasoning wrong for what transpired, but hit on an investigation that may have taught MJM some important lessons about how to avoid (legally) wrongful conduct. MJM’s recent comments about I never asked anyone to be given a job that was not expected to do work made me think about how things played out in 1998.

Comment by The Velour Nail Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 12:58 pm
Yeah, those appointed to state Rep seats never amount to anything and should stay silent. SMH

Comment by low level Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:00 pm
Can Madigan hold the re-map over some of these rep.’s heads?

Comment by Rutro Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:01 pm
The Velour Nail -

Run that by me again? How is my reasoning wrong?

W respect. Im trying to understand what you sre saying.

Comment by low level Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:03 pm
Now I’m glad he lost even though I voted for him…sorry bud but “perception of wrongdoing” should never be a standard

Comment by Annoyed Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:04 pm
I didn’t think Trump should have been impeached and don’t think Madigan should resign. Innocent until proven guilty. If the party somehow found the guts to move on from him, let’s see a vote.

Comment by Fighter of Foo Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:24 pm
==Perception of wrongdoing==

There is no perception. It happened. Unless you believe Com Ed agreed to pay $200 million for something that never occurred.

Pass the Kool-Aid Jim Jones, Madigan did nothing wrong. He knows they can’t convict him before November and if Biden wins it will go away.

The question is whether democrat legislators who have done nothing this year believe so little in their duty to their constituents that they are willing to phone in the rest of the year to protect the Speaker.

Comment by the Patriot Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:24 pm
From what I have observed, Pizer is a thoughtful, hardworking member of the House, and despite not winning the primary, has continued to be very active in his district throughout COVID. Many in his situation would have checked out. As a sitting member, he has every right to evaluate the structure and leadership of the chamber in which he serves and share it publicly. Just because your job has an end date doesn’t mean you stop doing it or taking it seriously. I credit Pizer for doing just that.

Comment by Prairie Pundit Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:27 pm
=== Biden wins it will go away.===

No.

Only Trump uses the justice department as his own arm of justice.

If you sincerely believe that, than you should be at the forefront of Black Lives Matters, as data indicates race and racial judicial norms are far out of the norm… unless you cheer things like Trump ruining blind justice and the ideals of Black Lives Matter have no merit to you.

“Biden wins it will go away.”

Are you even honest with yourself on how ridiculous you sound?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:29 pm
The only way they can force this is if they believe that trump has a real chance with suburban women. The amount of folks in my western burbs that care about safety seem to look past the twitter in chief. Furthermore, the amount of people I never thought would get a gun has changed. This is Illinois. It will likely never go red. I think the Dems better realize the real world isn’t twitter or the internet. When Naperville was looted. Compound what they see on the news about Portland. If he does resign I think it is he is a liability in more ways than corruption.

Comment by Fighter of Foo Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:30 pm
Going against the Speaker takes some guts, I have been surprised that in each case a House Dem has stepped out on their own, rather than seeking strength in numbers. I would not have guessed the process would play out as it has.

Comment by The Captain Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:30 pm
low level — 1998 investigation was about ghost payrolling. Making it clear with any recommendation that one believes and expects the recommended person(s) will perform work and do a job, i.e. no retainer arrangements, avoids those issues.

Comment by The Velour Nail Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:47 pm
===The amount of folks in my western burbs that care about safety seem to look past the twitter in chief.===

Really? Where?

Trump’s suburban numbers are horrendous. Where is this bastion of “Trumpiness”?

===This is Illinois. It will likely never go red.===

(Sigh)

This is so disingenuous to facts.

Since 1988, when Illinois went for Herbert Walker Bush, a Republican, let’s look at this “Red” thingy in real context;

1992? Clinton won the national popular vote, won Illinois.
1996? Clinton won the national popular vote, won Illinois.
2000? Gore won the national popular vote, won Illinois.
2004? Bush won the national popular vote, *lost* Illinois.

We’ll get back to 2004;

2008? Obama won the national popular vote, won Illinois
2012? Obama won the national popular vote, won Illinois.

2016? Clinton won the national popular vote, won illinois.

Since 1988, only… only one time has the national popular vote winner lost Illinois… that was George W. Bush.

This idea that Illinois is “blue” is ridiculous, Illinois models the national political feels, maybe not the Electoral College realities.

=== When Naperville was looted.===

and…

=== Compound what they see on the news about Portland.===

Thinking Naperville worries they are the next Portland is the scary racist thoughts Trump wants infecting white suburbanites, as Trumpkins also dog whistle “low income” housing by a man who admitted his racial practices in reveal properties needed to fined.

If you’re implying racially challenged towns as Trump Country…

Illinois isn’t a blue state; Illinois as a state mirrors a great deal of the country and is rejecting alleged Republican, now Trumpkin divisions of people.

/end rant(s)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:48 pm
There’s not a chance in the world Yoni wrote this…his buddy Kelly Cassidy did and slapped his name on it. Guy is on his way out, posturing for the sake of posturing is awesome especially when it doesn’t really mean anything. Pizer’s power can be held in a thimble.

Comment by Ann Sather Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:50 pm
The Velour Nail -
got it now. Many thanks.

- LL

Comment by low level Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 1:53 pm
@Fighter of Foo - Illinois won’t go red. Naperville getting looted won’t turn the state house/senate red. Mike Connelly got 79K votes in 2012 but only 48K in 2018. Voting R is a protest vote at best as there’s no party platform. The battle isn’t red vs. blue at the state level it’s moderate blue vs progressive blue.

Comment by 1st Ward Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 2:04 pm
The Dems saying these things independently is bothersome. They should come out together and ask for his resignation. He met his own standards of resignation for Pete’s sake.

Comment by R A T Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 2:09 pm
=== Voting R is a protest vote at best as there’s no party platform. The battle isn’t red vs. blue at the state level it’s moderate blue vs progressive blue.===

… as the GOP here, at the statehouse level, has left the battlefield and discussion.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 2:17 pm
@Fighter of the Foo. What’s the state republican platform again? Dismantle pensions (unconstitutional) and protest vote.

On the national level what’s their platform? Law & order which is a state and local issue and protest vote. There is no ingenuity to create a platform and counter the lefts platform to move the country forward.

Comment by 1st Ward Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 2:17 pm
So did Kelly write the press release or did Alaina?

Comment by Boone's is Back Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 2:30 pm
Doesn’t count. He has been electorally neutered.

Comment by Captain Obvious Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 2:36 pm
People, get back on topic.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 3:13 pm
Might be more relevant to get the take of the candidate who won that primary, Margaret Croke. She’ll be voting on who’ll be the next speaker. And she works for JB, which makes her thoughts on Madigan all the more interesting.

Comment by Sim Friday, Jul 31, 20 @ 4:45 pm
Interesting how the “righteous” ones failed to stand up until the press said they should. Give it a rest. Everyone deserves his or her day in court.
Remember the quote, “anyone without sin, throw the first stone.”
What about your alleged purse thief? No one said she should resign. Why not, righteous House female members?

Comment by MaryLouise Monday, Aug 3, 20 @ 3:57 pm