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* More from Speaker Madigan’s deposition in the Jason Gonzales lawsuit…
Early on in the deposition, Peraica asked about Madigan’s political background, including his election as 13th Ward Democratic committeeman in 1969. Madigan described the drudgery of the unpaid political job, from hooking residents up with government services to preparing sample ballots to raising money to pay for such activities.
Peraica asked: “With all the other responsibilities that you have in your various roles, why would you want to continue as a committeeman for 50 years?”
“It’s a good question,” Madigan said.
“Have you figured out the answer? I’m curious,” Peraica said.
“My stock answer is to tell people that I’m rather peculiar,” Madigan replied.
“You’re passionate about that position, right?” Peraica asked.
“You want an answer to that?” Madigan said. “I’m not sure I’m passionate, but I still perform the duties.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 1:20 pm
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It may be the most in-depth interview we ever get of Madigan.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 1:21 pm
Richard J. Daley took him under his wing back then. My guess is he keeps the committeeman position to honor his mentor.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 1:33 pm
===to honor his mentor===
He reserves his greatest respect for ward and township committeemen. It’s the most exclusive club in the state, as far as he’s concerned. And it’s the source of all of his other power.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 1:35 pm
Rich, you’re spot on as usual. For those who didn’t know, RJD held onto his Ward Committeeman’s post until his death in 1976.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 1:41 pm
I don’t understand why he has to even answer a question like this in a deposition.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 1:54 pm
Mike madigan the passive ward committeeman. I really love that one. He just gets lit out and otganizes the judges. He said itvwith a straight face in sure
Comment by Regular democrat Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 1:54 pm
==I don’t understand why he has to even answer a question like this in a deposition.==
I don’t either. Does this line of questioning have anything to do with the original complaint or is it just a fishing expedition?
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 2:07 pm
This is a very interesting read. We don’t always see the speaker in such a position.
Comment by Levois Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 2:13 pm
–I don’t understand why he has to even answer a question like this in a deposition.–
It’s background, no one seems to care, and there’s (usually) no neutral there refereeing the deposition live. To refuse to answer a question may stop the deposition, force the party refusing to answer to go to court to justify the refusal, and is very risky. If Madigan’s lawyers were worried about what he would say, they would have at least objected.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 2:19 pm
What everyone should remember that Speaker Madigan grew up in Chicago Ward politics and understands how the system has worked since the 30s when his Father first got involved.
According to the article in the TRIB, this was first dep he has ever given, not sure about that but it does add a nice touch to the story.
Comment by D Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 2:29 pm
====I don’t understand why he has to even answer a question like this in a deposition. =====
“MOTIVE”
Comment by Anon. Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 2:45 pm
Sometimes deposition questions are asked just to throw off the party being questioned. You never know what you’ll get someone to say. They also get your mind off the “script”. During a line of questioning. Common practice in the legal field.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 3:20 pm
Mike Madigan loves the 13th Ward. He considers it an honor to be the 13th Ward Democratic Committeeman. The only way he will ever relinquish the Democratic Committeeman’s post is either through retirement or death.
Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 3:58 pm
So is that a deposition for a federal lawsuit, or did Peraica find the old “Merv Griffin Show” set in a dumpster?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 4:00 pm
wordslinger @4:00 pm is just absolutely genius.
Comment by Southern_Dawg Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 8:48 am