Month: July 2020

As bipartisan calls for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign continue to grow, Madigan released a late-night statement declaring that he would not resign after receiving “positive” feedback from other Illinois Democrats.

Did Governor Pritzker talk to the Speaker?  If so, what did the Governor say?  If he didn’t, what is the Governor’s response to Madigan’s arrogant defiance amidst growing bipartisan calls for him to step down?

In the past two weeks, Pritzker hasn’t been able to figure out what to say about Madigan, his political ally, when asked by reporters.

He thought he could hide behind the Republican leaders in the General Assembly.  That excuse is gone.

He thought he could change his standard for resignation to when the FBI conducts a raid.  Oops – that’s already happened a few times.

Pritzker’s likely worried that the same U.S. Attorney closing in on Madigan might intensify a separate federal investigation into Pritzker’s property tax fraud. 

We don’t know if Pritzker and Madigan spoke yesterday but here’s what we predict Pritzker told him:

• “Hang in there, Mike.  We are political allies.”
• “Do you need more money?  Has the last $10 million run out already?”
• “I can’t stand this U.S. Attorney either.  Why won’t he leave us alone?”
• “Don’t resign, Mike.  If you go, I could be next.”
• “I love what you did with the Democratic Party’s website.  I want every voter to know how close we are.”

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In the last few hours, two more Democratic State Representatives have called on Speaker Michael Madigan to resign immediately.  Despite growing bipartisan calls for Madigan to resign, Governor JB Pritzker is standing by his man. 

Pritzker may be afraid that if Madigan is forced to resign prior to an indictment, calls will soon come for Pritzker himself to resign when the federal investigation into his own property tax fraud intensifies.  That is why Pritzker keeps fumbling questions about Madigan. 

Last week, Pritzker fumbled questions about whether he considered Madigan a political ally.  Yesterday, he fumbled questions about why he is changing his standards when it comes to corrupt officials needing to resign from leadership positions.

The Background: Last year, Governor JB Pritzker called on former Democratic Sen. Marty Sandoval to step down as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee before he was indicted.  This January, Pritzker told Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller that when there’s “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators, “that’s the point at which folks should step aside.”  But after Mike Madigan was dubbed “Public Official A” by the U.S. Attorney in a widening corruption investigation, Pritzker flip-flopped and said Madigan need only resign if the allegations are true.

The Fumble: Yesterday, NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern asked Pritzker why he was changing his resignation standard for Madigan.  Here’s his convoluted response:

Well I have been clear that, you know when there is a raid, when there is an indictment, you know I have called for people to step down from their positions, or to resign. So I have said the same thing. I’ve said that, you know, if you know if these allegations are true, the speaker should, is going to be required to resign, in my view. By the way, that’s the same thing that the Republican caucus leaders in the General Assembly said when they responded.

Whoops #1: Pritzker tried to hide behind early statements issued by House GOP Leader Jim Durkin and Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady to defend his changing position.  The Chicago Tribune reports today that Brady and his entire caucus have now called on Madigan to resign “immediately.”  Durkin also issued a statement this morning calling on Madigan to resign immediately.  Pritzker should be asked to respond to Durkin and Brady’s call for Madigan to resign immediately after using them as an excuse.

Whoops #2: Mr. Pritzker took the position that Madigan should only resign once “there is a raid.”  As it turns out, there have already been many raids.  The Chicago Tribune published the following timeline of raids in connection with the Madigan investigation:

• Mid-may 2019: FBI raids the Southwest Side residence of former Ald. Michael Zalewski, who at the time was working with House Speaker Michael Madigan to get lobbying work from ComEd.
• Mid-May 2019: Feds raid the City Club of Chicago offices in the Wrigley building seeking records pertaining to club President Jay Doherty, a longtime ComEd lobbyist.
• Mid-May 2019: The feds raid the Far South Side home of former 13th Ward political operative Kevin Quinn — the brother of Ald. Marty Quinn — who was ousted by Madigan amid a sexual harassment scandal in 2018. Quinn received checks from current and former ComEd lobbyists.
• Mid-May 2019: The FBI raids the downstate home of Mike McClain, a longtime ComEd lobbyist who is widely known as one of House Speaker Michael Madigan’s closest confidants.

If a federal raid is the new Pritzker standard for Madigan’s resignation, Pritzker should be asked why the federal raids that have already taken place and the federal grand jury subpoenas issued to Madigan are not enough to meet his changing standard.

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In breaking news this morning, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) called on Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign immediately from both his speakership and his chairmanship of the Democratic Party of Illinois.  No caveats.  No “if true” evasions.

Some will argue that the Speaker is innocent until charges are filed and he’s proven guilty. But those are not the standards that should apply to his leadership role. Serving as Speaker is not a right; it’s a privilege. A leader’s actions must avoid even the perception of wrongdoing. Speaker Madigan repeatedly has violated that trust.

For the same reason, Michael Madigan should step down as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. We are in the midst of the most important campaign of our lifetime — to remove a President who routinely violates our Constitution and our trust. In contrast, Democrats must offer voters a level of trust and accountability that Chairman Madigan can no longer provide.

This puts Governor JB Pritzker in a box after spending more than a week shielding Madigan from pressure to resign immediately.

Will today be the day Governor Pritzker calls on Madigan to resign immediately – or will dig himself deeper into Madigan’s culture of corruption?  And does the Governor fear this could be his fate if the federal investigation into his own property tax fraud deepens?

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In breaking news this morning, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) called on Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign immediately from both his speakership and his chairmanship of the Democratic Party of Illinois.  No caveats.  No “if true” evasions.

Some will argue that the Speaker is innocent until charges are filed and he’s proven guilty. But those are not the standards that should apply to his leadership role. Serving as Speaker is not a right; it’s a privilege. A leader’s actions must avoid even the perception of wrongdoing. Speaker Madigan repeatedly has violated that trust.

For the same reason, Michael Madigan should step down as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. We are in the midst of the most important campaign of our lifetime — to remove a President who routinely violates our Constitution and our trust. In contrast, Democrats must offer voters a level of trust and accountability that Chairman Madigan can no longer provide.

This puts Governor JB Pritzker in a box after spending more than a week shielding Madigan from pressure to resign immediately.

Will today be the day Governor Pritzker calls on Madigan to resign immediately – or will dig himself deeper into Madigan’s culture of corruption?  And does the Governor fear this could be his fate if the federal investigation into his own property tax fraud deepens?

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In case you missed it…

Newspaper columnist Jim Nowlan weighed in on the line towed by Governor JB Pritzker and other Illinois Democrats that Speaker Mike Madigan need only resign “if the allegations are true.”

Except for pinning the tail on the donkey — Madigan — how can the allegations not be true? ComEd has stipulated that they are true!

Why in the world would ComEd ever put itself at risk of bribery charges if the company weren’t pressured to do so by Madigan?

…

I disagree about the speaker weathering the storm.

The optics of the ComEd bribery and Madigan shakedown scheme are breathtaking, at least an order of magnitude more brazen that your typical corruption. ComEd continued to pay the best man at Madigan’s wedding (lobbyist Mike McClain) hundreds of thousands annually, even after the company declared he was no longer lobbying for them.

Madigan even demanded — talk about brassy — that ComEd place one of his political friends on their board of directors. And they did. Think of the chill that must send down the spines of CEOs who might want to set up shop in Illinois.

From Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller:

When there’s “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators, the governor said, “that’s the point at which folks should step aside.”

…

I do not see how there is less than “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators right now.

And from Illinois Playbook:

But another state rep acknowledged: “You worry about the other shoe dropping and what that means if you’ve accepted [Madigan’s] help.”

Here are the top unanswered questions for Governor Pritzker to address:

1)    Will you comment on the latest report from the Chicago Sun-Times that you appointed the two top officials at the Illinois Tollway based on the recommendation of former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker who is now embroiled in the Madigan bribery scandal?  Your spokesperson “singled out Hooker as a key voice behind the appointments.”  What is the nature of your relationship with John Hooker?  Can you comment on how these corrupt appointments may have contributed to recent illegal activity at the Tollway as the Daily Herald reported yesterday?

2)    You previously called on Democratic State Sen. Marty Sandoval to step down as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee before he was indicted.  Why are you changing your standard for Madigan and refusing to call on him to step down as both speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party?

3)    You reportedly told Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller that when there’s “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators, “that’s the point at which folks should step aside.”  Do you not see clear evidence of Mike Madigan being targeted by criminal investigators?

4)    Yes or no – do you consider Mike Madigan to be a political ally?

5)    Are you concerned that the US Attorney in Chicago is now looking into property tax fraud allegations against you and that reportedly the inquiry is widening to multiple properties?

6)    If you will just continue to say that Madigan should resign if the allegations against him are true, would you agree that you should resign if the allegations against you are true?

7)    Can you name one allegation against Madigan described in the US Attorney’s court filing that you think is not true?

8)    Will you demand that Madigan return your campaign contributions from accounts that he controls?

9)    Will you advise Illinois Democrats not to accept campaign contributions from Madigan? If so, should they avoid campaign contributions from you while you are subject to your own federal investigation?

10) You appointed Carrie Zalewski to be the Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates ComEd.  Zalewski’s husband is a state representative close to Madigan and her father-in-law, a former Chicago alderman, is embroiled in the ComEd/Madigan bribery scandal.  Why did Carrie Zalewski fight in court to protect ComEd in litigation arising from the death of a cable line worker?  Doesn’t that raise red flags given her conflict of interest in the ongoing federal probe?  Are you covering up corruption here?

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Governor JB Pritzker today heads to Quincy and the Quad Cities in hopes of talking about anything other than the widening federal investigations into both Speaker Mike Madigan for bribery and the governor himself for property tax fraud.

Will today be the day he finally answers the tough questions?  Here are the top unanswered questions for Governor Pritzker to address:

1)    Will you comment on the latest report from the Chicago Sun-Times that you appointed the two top officials at the Illinois Tollway Authority based on the recommendation of former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker who is now embroiled in the Madigan bribery scandal?  Your spokesperson “singled out Hooker as a key voice behind the appointments.”  What is the nature of your relationship with John Hooker?

2)    Newspapers around the state continue to call on you to ask Speaker Madigan to resign.  You previously called on Democratic State Sen. Marty Sandoval to step down as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee before he was indicted.  Why are you changing your standard for Madigan and refusing to call on him to step down as both speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party?

3)    Yes or no – do you consider Mike Madigan to be a political ally?

4)    Are you concerned that the US Attorney in Chicago is now looking into property tax fraud allegations against you and that reportedly the inquiry is widening to multiple properties?

5)    If you will just continue to say that Madigan should resign if the allegations against him are true, would you agree that you should resign if the allegations against you are true?

6)    Can you name one allegation against Madigan described in the US Attorney’s court filing that you think is not true?

7)    Will you demand that Madigan return your campaign contributions from accounts that he controls?

8)    You appointed Carrie Zalewski to be the Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates ComEd.  Zalewski’s husband is a state representative close to Madigan and her father-in-law, a former Chicago alderman, is embroiled in the ComEd/Madigan bribery scandal.  Why did Carrie Zalewski fight in court to protect ComEd in litigation arising from the death of a cable line worker?  Doesn’t that raise red flags given her conflict of interest in the ongoing federal probe?  Are you covering up corruption here?

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In case you missed it this weekend…

The Chicago Tribune slammed Governor JB Pritzker for his refusal to demand House Speaker Michael Madigan step down as speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois:

But one unarguable time for an official to step down is when prosecutors offer credible evidence of corruption that devastates citizens’ trust in that official.

Yet instead of leveling consequences, the ruling Democrats continue to tolerate, enable and protect Madigan.

That’s peculiar. Rather than demanding that Madigan leave or be dethroned, Pritzker, Lightfoot, Preckwinkle and Democrats in the legislature are waiting for … what, exactly?

If they won’t insist that Madigan go until they know everything about his conduct, then they’re admitting that milking Madigan for campaign money and political muscle means more to them than living by the good-government platitudes they love to mouth.

And the Quad City Times also called on Illinois Democrats to demand Madigan’s resignation:

We think it’s time for Democratic lawmakers to stop dancing around Mike Madigan. They should demand that he resign.

Governor Pritzker will be in the Quad Cities later today.

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One week after the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois officially named House Speaker Michael Madigan as “Public Official A” in an ever-widening federal investigation, Governor J.B. Pritzker continues to shield Madigan from resigning his post as Speaker and as Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

But while Pritzker has joined the Madigan defense team, experts tell the Associated Press that “prosecutors are coming for him” and “charges could come any day.”  Meanwhile, newspapers across Illinois continue to call for Madigan to step aside: 

• From the State Journal-Register: “Mr. Madigan, please step aside and let your colleagues lead the way to reform.”
• From the Chicago Tribune: “Madigan has held onto the speaker’s job for far too long. This should be the clincher. Step down, Mr. Speaker.”
• From the Daily Herald: “The suggestions of impropriety in those documents are so overwhelming that Michael J. Madigan, whether innocent or guilty of wrongdoing, cannot escape being a major distraction both to good government and to the hopes of the political party he leads.”
• From yesterday’s Effingham Daily News: “He hasn’t been charged with anything — yet. But Madigan’s effectiveness as a leader in the state can no longer exist in the wake of an agreement the feds reached last week with Commonwealth Edison.”

“Governor Pritzker has chosen the wrong side of history,” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said.  “The people of Illinois will hold this governor accountable for standing in Madigan’s defense and actively covering up corruption.  People should see Mr. Pritzker for what he is: a political accessory after the fact to Mike Madigan’s crimes.  What else did we expect from a governor facing his own federal investigation for property tax fraud?”

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The Illinois Republican Party today called on Governor J.B. Pritzker to explain why he is unwilling to call for House Speaker Michael Madigan to step down from his positions as Speaker and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois when he was willing to call on State Sen. Martin Sandoval to resign his chairmanship of the Senate Transportation Committee under similar circumstances.

Last October, after the FBI raided Sandoval’s home and office in search of evidence of bribery and fraud, Governor Pritzker said: “While Sen. Sandoval is under investigation, it’s in the best interest of our state that he no longer serve as chairman of the Transportation Committee.  If he doesn’t step aside, he should be removed.”

But over the last few days, Pritzker has refused to apply the same standard to Madigan.  Instead, Pritzker says Madigan should only resign if the allegations against him are true — whatever that means.

“Pritzker’s double standard when it comes to Mike Madigan’s resignation raises all kinds of red flags,” Chairman Tim Schneider said.  “What does Madigan have on Pritzker that would compel the Governor to change his standard for resignation in just nine months?”

Pritzker now faces several unanswered questions:

1)    Why did you call on Marty Sandoval to resign his chairmanship before an actual indictment but won’t call on Madigan to resign his speakership and chairmanship of the Democratic Party?

2)    Will you acknowledge that Michael Madigan is “Public Official A” in the US Attorney’s court filings?

3)    Rod Blagojevich was also “Public Official A” and you supported Blagojevich at that time (in fact, you even called Blagojevich to discuss the US Senate appointment).  Clearly, you made a big mistake with Blagojevich.  Aren’t you making the same mistake all over again – only this time betting your governorship on the newest “Public Official A”?

4)    Which allegations against “Public Official A” described in the US Attorney’s court filing do you think are not true?

5)    Will you demand that Madigan return your campaign contributions?  Do you have concerns that Madigan is using tainted campaign funds for his legal defense?

6)    Why did Carrie Zalewski fight in court to protect ComEd in litigation arising from the death of a cable line worker?  Doesn’t that raise red flags given her conflict of interest in the ongoing federal probe?

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