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* I told subscribers about this earlier today, but here’s Greg Hinz…
Mike Madigan says he did nothing wrong. But the news that he was taped by Ald. Danny Solis, 25th, as part of a federal corruption probe is providing another stunning shock to Illinois politics and further roiling an already unpredictable race for mayor.
In separate statements, both Madigan and his longtime private attorney, Heather Wier Vaught, dismissed allegations in a Chicago Sun-Times report that Solis arranged a meeting with a zoning applicant who needed Solis’ backing for a Chinatown hotel project. Solis reportedly told the developer that hiring Madigan’s law firm to handle property tax appeals would clear the way for the zoning approval, but though the zoning was secured, Madigan’s firm was not retained and the hotel never was built. […]
From what I’m hearing, there’s lots more to come out on the speaker. Today’s news was colorful, but arguably not incriminating. Later developments could be of more legal significance.
Stay tuned.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:13 am
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===Today’s news was colorful, but arguably not incriminating. Later developments could be of more legal significance.===
This is the most inportant takeaway from these past 36 hours…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:18 am
Will they include Madigan’s use of AFL-CIO headquarters building in Springfield?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:22 am
OW hit the money quote on the head. Nothing really yet but more could come. Will any of the Chicago mayoral candidates make a name for themselves before anymore information comes on Mike Madigan to look like they are a reformer? Will any candidates call for Mike Madigan to step down from his positions of power?
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:24 am
The federales have been on something and listening in since 2014 (who were the president and AG then?).
I’d imagine there is a heckuva of lot more to come on who knows who.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:26 am
- wordslinger -
Might be on to something. President Trump’s name might be mentioned somewhere .
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/trump-seeks-more-tax-breaks-on-chicago-tower-with-ald-ed-burkes-help/
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:40 am
Seems like the G caught a fish, who then cast about looking for a bigger fish to offer up for leniency. Solis is caught, and maybe Burke, but the other stuff looks pretty weak so far.
Let’s see how many papers the Sun-Times can sell with its tease.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:40 am
The top five bombshells about Madigan:
1. Doesn’t really like apples
2. Secretly uses cell phone
3. Secretly uses email
4. Is actually a Cub’s fan.
5. Secretly created Rauner’s “blame Madigan” campaign
Comment by Angry Republican Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:41 am
We’re gonna go “Trump to Madigan”?
Again, speculation over years of possible recordings, possibly with multiple people, probably over many different subjects and “we” land… on Trump?
I’ll wait and watch, thanks, but going down the Trump theory is probably not in my thinking.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:49 am
If this Madigan angle continues poor Patty will be lucky to get Rod any ink at all.
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 9:52 am
To OW
I didn’t mean to tie Trump to Madigan because there’s zero evidence of that. I just meant in the broader sense Donald Trump name might show up on a phone call of over 9000 that the Ed Burke side of the investigation covers.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:02 am
- “Later developments could be of more legal significance.”
Hope springs eternal.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:04 am
As much as I would like to see Madigan removed from office, the fact that the federales haven’t raided his office(s) is fairly telling.
Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:05 am
That’s pretty irresponsible for Hinz to print. Novak said on Chicago Tonight last night that more will be printed from the affidavit but there was nothing else about the Speaker in that document.
Comment by Cermak Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:10 am
They need a heck of a lot more to touch Madigan. Think probably lots of names mentioned would have to be with 20,000 phone calls and 4 years but question is who said or did anything incriminating. I cannot imagine Rahm not on one and probably half the people running for mayor but show me the tit for tat
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:12 am
This is not a conspiracy or any other crazy talk but Man did Lisa pick the right year to not run. I can only imagine what questions she’d get.
Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:43 am
Cermak,
That’s only one source. Chicago reporters are frantic right now digging and scooping. I’m going to keep going back to this: 2014. This all started in earnest in 2014. Fed’s have hours and hours of recordings. That’s just what we know of so far. What else do they have? Only time will tell.
Comment by Flat Bed Ford Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:50 am
“Novak said on Chicago Tonight last night that more will be printed from the affidavit but there was nothing else about the Speaker in that document”
Hmm that seems to deflate the breathless reporting from Crain’s, kassamoron and Katrina
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 10:59 am
Hinz’s final paragraph “from what I’m hearing” is irresponsible journalism. It’s innuendo and, if unfounded harmful, it adds nothing to the readers’ knowledge.
Either tell us what you are hearing, so we can decide it’s significance or wait until you can publish it.
Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 11:06 am
I’ll believe it when I see it, and not before. Mike’s above nothing as far as I’m concerned, but having sufficient evidence to bring charges? Show me.
Comment by SSL Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 11:37 am
“Chicago reporters are frantic right now digging and scooping.” That’s my point Flat Bed, let them do that. If if they find something, print it. If not, then avoid the Fox News strategy of “many are saying” and cut the click bait.
Comment by Cermak Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 12:16 pm
And where is the “Take a breath” to Hinz?
I mean, come on. It’s Buzzfeed all over again.
Comment by Bobby T Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 12:34 pm
Madigan had no official role in approving the zoning request. It may (actually does) have an unpleasant odor for Solis to push Madigan’s firm on the developer while the zoning request was pending, but unless there is something more than is out there now, Madigan did not come close to doing anything illegal.
Comment by jake Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 12:56 pm
Just remember Hinz is a much respected reporter. He’s worked at Crain’s for years. He knows a lot from reporting on Chicago politics. This article from him on Alderman Ed Burke is pretty amazing. Notice the date over 20 years ago. Notice the title ” ED BURKE’S TWO WORLDS FACE A COLLISION COURSE ” .
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19970215/ISSUE01/10005600/ed-burke-s-two-worlds-face-a-collision-course
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:01 pm
“Madigan’s firm was not retained and the hotel never was built.” Where is the dirt on Madigan?
Is Rauner still paying the Sun Times to dig- up some illegal dirt on Madigan? They may dig themselves into a big hole that goes all the way to China before they find anything illegal.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:07 pm
=Is Rauner still paying the Sun Times to…=
Oh, for heaven’s sake. Please. Fed’s investigating Chicago corruption is Rauner’s fault? Bless your heart.
Comment by Flat Bed Ford Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 1:56 pm
love him or hate him,the
rally cry lately is that somehow madigan is the good guy in the state,etc etc..maybe hes not “the bad guy” but spell out how hes truly benefited the people of Illinois?
Comment by bobby Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 2:58 pm
“but spell out how hes truly benefited the people of Illinois?”
Repeal death penalty, marriage equality, impeached Blagoof, roadblocked GovJunk’s destruction of working families…
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 3:05 pm
Before I said it was Christmas in January. I didn’t realize it would be 12 Days of Christmas.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 4:29 pm
== “but spell out how hes truly benefited the people of Illinois?” ==
You may not like his policies but he has been the one steady person more or less running the State most of the previous 16 years when the Governors abdicated their job.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 5:27 pm
–You may not like his policies but (Madigan) he has been the one steady person more or less running the State most of the previous 16 years when the Governors abdicated their job.–
I know that’s the legend, but I don’t buy it.
Legislation is one thing, but no legislator can sign off on billions in contracts and leases, hire and fire big jobs, and run the departments and thousands of employees under the authority of the Illinois governor. It’s the most powerful public office in the state, by far.
Even when it comes to legislation, a governor’s suite of veto options are formidable in shaping laws. Madigan failed to override Rauner dozens of times, even with an alleged super-majority, until the House GOPers broke ranks.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 5:54 pm