Tag: Press Release

During tonight’s Democratic Governor debate on ABC 7, J.B. Pritzker again refused to call on Mike Madigan to step down as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois in light of sexual harassment scandals in his political organization. This despite calls for Madigan to go from fellow candidates Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss.

Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot issued the following response:

“J.B. Pritzker said he’d stand up for Alaina Hampton and other victims. But he won’t stand up to Mike Madigan. He knows Madigan is his only hope of winning the primary and he’s not brave enough to upset the apple cart. Instead, Pritzker has questioned the facts surrounding Hampton’s case and is seemingly content with Madigan and his operatives maintaining their status quo. You can’t have it both ways, Mr. Pritzker: either you believe Alaina Hampton or you are protecting Madigan, the man she accuses of covering up her harassment.”

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“Pritzker did not answer a panelist’s question of whether Madigan should give up his party chairmanship, his speaker role or both.”

As Illinois Democrats turn up the heat on Mike Madigan for his mishandling of sexual assault allegations within his political organization, one Democrat has given Madigan his tacit support – J.B. Pritzker, Madigan’s candidate for governor.

But media outlets aren’t letting Pritzker off the hook for his refusal to answer a simple question that’s on everybody’s minds – ‘should Mike Madigan resign as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, House Speaker, or both?’

WCIA’s Raquel Martin reported [WATCH] that Pritzker is still reluctant to answer whether or not Madigan should step down from his top party posts. WCIA’s Marx Maxwell also reported that J.B. Pritzker still hasn’t answered said whether or not Madigan should step down. Martin also interviewed [WATCH] Daniel Biss, who confirmed everyone’s suspicions and declared that J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Billionaire entrepreneur J.B. Pritzker sidestepped questions Wednesday about whether Mike Madigan should step down as state House speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party in light of the party leader’s handling of sexual harassment allegations within his own political organization.

Pritzker, who is backed by unions and heavy-hitting Democrats — many allied with the speaker — was asked twice during a Downstate gubernatorial debate whether he believed Madigan should withdraw from either role.

“He said he was going to answer the question but didn’t, because he hasn’t gotten permission yet from Madigan to answer that question,” state Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, quipped.

On his second try, Pritzker still avoided the question, saying an independent investigation prompted by Madigan “will determine who the perpetrators are and who is truly responsible.”

…Madigan has become a troublesome issue for Pritzker. The gubernatorial candidate has been slow to question the behavior of the powerful, but increasingly unpopular, party leader.

From the Chicago Tribune:

…Biss indicated he agreed. “It took J.B. Pritzker a week to get permission from Mike Madigan to even name him in talking about this sexual harassment cover-up,” Biss said.

…Madigan has been around “too long,” is “too powerful” and “has been a problem in the state of Illinois” and the state Democratic Party “for quite some time,” Biss added.

But Pritzker did not answer a panelist’s question of whether Madigan should give up his party chairmanship, his speaker role or both.

“He hasn’t gotten permission yet from Madigan to answer that question,” said Biss in noting the dodge.

From the Associated Press:

Pritzker took the brunt of criticism from the other candidates because he has not said whether long-term House Speaker Michael Madigan, also the Illinois Democratic Party chairman, should step aside over his handling of two cases of campaign workers accused by women of sexual harassment.

Either J.B. Pritzker genuinely thinks Mike Madigan is doing a great job as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, or Dan Biss is right and Mike Madigan won’t let Pritzker criticize Madigan on any issue.

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Spineless Pritzker still refuses to buck Madigan and answer a very simple question – ‘should Madigan resign his state party chairmanship?’

“J.B. Pritzker is spineless. Even as top Illinois Democrats and two of Illinois’ leading newspapers call on Mike Madigan to resign his post as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois for his mishandling of a sexual harassment scandal, Pritzker remains silent. Why? Because Mike Madigan is the man behind J.B. Pritzker’s campaign for governor.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

In what may be unprecedented editorials from two of Illinois’ top newspapers, the State Journal-Register and Chicago Tribune called on Illinois Democrats to force House Speaker Mike Madigan to resign his post as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois in light of Madigan’s mishandling of sexual harassment complaints within his political organizations.

From the State Journal-Register editorial:

…But it took public complaints for Madigan and company to act — an illustration of how unimportant it was for them to have a legislative inspector general until it became politically unpopular for there not to be one.

And now, Madigan faces similar issues about how his political operation is run. Once again, it appears it took negative public attention to push Madigan into motion.

…Organizations reflect their leadership. Even if Madigan was not initially personally aware of these allegations in his political operation, he has allowed an environment to flourish that allowed harassment and bullying.

…The concentration of power that Madigan holds isn’t healthy for Illinois Democrats. They should no longer accept that the speaker can also be the party chairman. It’s time for the state’s Democrats to demand change. They can start by insisting Madigan step down as chairman.

From the Chicago Tribune editorial:

It’s proper that House Speaker Michael Madigan acknowledges his failure to be a leader in the fight against sexual harassment and bullying in Illinois government and politics. It’s also stunning, given his clenched grip on power and his reluctance to take responsibility for the state of this state. We can’t remember the last time Madigan publicly displayed such humility.

…Now we are witnessing a political uprising against Madigan by a force he cannot ignore and may not outmaneuver: Female Democratic politicians — at first disappointingly, almost deafeningly quiet — have begun telling Madigan his promises to change the culture in Illinois aren’t enough. State Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago wants an independent investigation of Madigan’s organizations to “rip the Band-Aid off” mistreatment. So does state Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake. Other Democrats, some in the thick of the primary campaign, are chiming in. Candidate for governor Chris Kennedy wants Madigan to resign as party chairman. So does Marie Newman, running for Congress against Madigan ally Rep. Dan Lipinski.

…It’s on other Illinois Democrats — his caucus members, other officeholders but also voters — to force Madigan’s hand. At minimum here must be an independent investigation of his legislative offices and political operations to detail precisely how he handled allegations of harassment and bullying. Beyond that, Democrats have to decide whether, for the good and reputation of their party and the legislature, Madigan should shed some of his titles.

Top names in the Democratic Party of Illinois are joining the State Journal-Register and Chicago Tribune in calling for Madigan’s resignation as party chairman as well:

• Chris Kennedy:“[Madigan] no longer can lead our party.”

• State Sen. Daniel Biss: Sen. Daniel Biss has called for Madigan to step down from his dual position as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois

• State Sen. Kwame Raoul: “Is it time for new leadership in the party? Yea, I believe in passing the baton…”

• State Sen. Melinda Bush: Madigan “should seriously consider” resigning as party chairman.

• State Rep. Litesa Wallace: Rep. Litesa Wallace says that House Speaker Mike Madigan should resign as Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, and is also questioning whether he can remain as Speaker.

• State Rep. Scott Drury: Democratic attorney general candidate Scott Drury doubled down on his previous call for Madigan to resign.

• Sharon Fairley: “Speaker Madigan should step down as the chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois – and as House Speaker…”

• Marie Newman: “It is time for Michael Madigan to resign as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.”

Noticeably absent from the Democratic chorus demanding Mike Madigan’s resignation is J.B. Pritzker, Madigan’s candidate for governor.

When will J.B. Pritzker grow a spine and demand Madigan resign his post as party chairman? Most likely never because Madigan is the man behind Pritzker’s campaign for governor.

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It’s been one week since sexual harassment scandals first broke out in Mike Madigan’s political operation and the response from J.B. Pritzker each time he’s been asked has been anything but strong. Media outlets around the state have reported on how Pritzker has refused to criticize Madigan’s role in these cases and that Pritzker has danced around questions so as to stay on the good side of the House Speaker.

WCIA’s Mark Maxwell: “The statement from JB Pritzker and Juliana Stratton mirrors Speaker Madigan’s, says Alaina Hampton has ‘courage’ and ‘strength and honesty.”’Statement makes no mention of Madigan’s response to it.” (2/13)

Chicago Sun-Times: “J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday tiptoed around criticizing Mike Madigan over the state Democratic Party chairman’s handling of a sexual harassment complaint.” (2/14)

ABC’s Craig Wall: “‘A long while. Only when pushed.’ — Sun-Times: Pritzker takes a while to say Madigan took too long to fire aide” (2/14)

Capitol Fax: “Pritzker stumbles yet again on the Madigan question” (2/15)

WMAY: “Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker is facing more criticism… for not taking House Speaker Mike Madigan to task for Madigan’s handling of a sexual harassment complaint against an aide.” (2/15)

WSIU:  “But J.B. Pritzker, despite repeated questions, just kept saying … ‘You know I don’t know all the facts’ … ‘Again, I’m not sure what all the facts are’ … ‘We’ve got to find out exactly what the facts are’ … Finally, after being pressed for five minutes, Pritzker said, ‘It shouldn’t take that long.'” (2/15)

WMBD: “In four minutes and 25 seconds of discussing the sexual harassment scandal, Pritzker did not once say “Madigan.'” (2/18)

NBC’s Mary Ann Ahern: “Latest on new Dem operative quietly removed from campaigns after allegations of inappropriate behavior, and #ILGov Dem candidates react, louder criticism for Madigan, with the exception of JB Pritzker.” (2/19)

WTTW: “When pressed by the media, the presumed front-runner for the Democratic nomination, Hyatt heir J.B. Pritzker, did not say Madigan’s name.” (2/19)

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J.B. Pritzker running ad telling women “we believe you” as he obfuscates case against his political patron, Mike Madigan

“J.B. Pritzker’s words are as empty as his ‘uninhabitable’ mansion. Given another opportunity to call out Mike Madigan for mishandling Alaina Hampton’s sexual harassment complaint, Pritzker chose to cast doubt on the ‘facts’ of the case and again peddle tired talking points intended to defend his political ally, Mike Madigan. Despite being asked point-blank to comment on whether Madigan bears responsibility and should remain in his leadership roles, Pritzker dodged.

“If J.B. Pritzker truly believes Mike Madigan did nothing wrong, he should say it.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

“You know I don’t know all the facts …”

“Again, I’m not sure what all the facts are …”

“We’ve got to find out exactly what the facts are …”

“We need to make sure that all the facts come out …”

“Well I, again, I don’t know all the facts about what happened around the — Alaina.”

“It’s unclear what all the facts are…”

In a Springfield press conference and an interview on WMAY, J.B. Pritzker continued to lay the groundwork to absolve House Speaker Mike Madigan of any responsibility in his mishandling of sexual harassment allegations within his political office by questioning aloud the facts in the Alaina Hampton case.

What, exactly, is unclear, J.B. Pritzker? Text messages published by the Chicago Tribune prove Hampton’s claims against Quinn. Even Mike Madigan doesn’t dispute those facts. That’s why he fired Quinn, albeit after sitting on this information for over three months.

Just last night, NBC5 Chicago Political Reporter Mary Ann Ahern broke news that “an associate of Madigan’s” with “close ties to the supervisor who harassed [Alaina Hampton]” has been attempting to dig up dirt on Hampton in a cowardly attempt to discredit the sexual harassment claims made against one of Madigan’s top political staffers.

All this while Pritzker runs a campaign ad where he says he will tell women “we believe you,” presumably as it relates to sexual harassment claims.

The truth is J.B. Pritzker’s words are hollow. He says “we believe you” up until the point it directly affects the man behind his campaign for governor, House Speaker Mike Madigan.

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