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* Illinois Policy Institute…
“Michael Madigan: Elected without fuss.”
So reads one Illinois newspaper caption from Jan. 13, 1983, the day after Madigan’s peers in the General Assembly elected him speaker of the House for the first time. The choice was easy. Madigan had recently redrawn Illinois’ legislative maps, which meant many lawmakers in part owed their jobs to the 40-year-old from Chicago’s Southwest Side.
Madigan has now held that speaker’s gavel for 35 of the last 37 years.
The state’s median age is 37 years old, meaning one man has served as speaker for the vast majority of most Illinoisans’ lives. No legislative leader in American history has held power for longer.
What were you (or your parents) doing in January of 1983?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:26 am
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I was in the 5th grade.
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:28 am
Living out my terrible twos in Wisconsin…
Comment by SKI Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:28 am
Patrolling the Czech border in Germany.
Comment by MSIX Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:29 am
I would have been at Chestnut Coop nursery school. Maybe pounding nails into the giant stump or having reading circle time with Mrs. Harriet.
Comment by Rayne of Terror Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:32 am
I wasn’t even a thought
Comment by Alfred Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:32 am
Rocking the casbah.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:33 am
I was still in high school, but I had volunteered on a HDem race that fall and my guy (Chuck Pangle) won, so he was one of those new members that owed his seat to Madigan’s map. Also, that was the first year that representatives were in their own districts following the cut-back amendment. So instead of 177 reps, Madigan only had to deal with 118.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:33 am
What I was doing: planning my future.
What I wasn’t doing: whining about losing 35 out of 37 years.
Comment by DIstant watcher Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:35 am
I don’t even want to know what my parents were doing in January 1983. I am pretty sure they were together then though.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:35 am
In junior high, bewildered by my classmates wearing parachute pants.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:36 am
Watching home mortgage rates drop from nearly 20% down to below 10% in the Reagan era. In 1983 they were still in the high teens but trending downward. Refi in 1985 at 9.75% Truly remarkable time. MJM was still a SW Side Conservative Dem at the time. How times have changed.
Comment by A Guy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:36 am
Just finishing up my struggle through DePaul.
Comment by James the Intolerant Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:36 am
I don’t even think my parents were together at that point…
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:37 am
I was happily wearing velour tracksuits and roos shoes to Roosevelt Elementary in Park Ridge as a third grader.
Comment by Ok Boomer Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:38 am
Was a house page for that summer (and many after that).
Comment by 50 now Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:39 am
I think my parents got married around then. I was -2.
Comment by So_Ill Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:40 am
Would be my senior year in college from what I remember, or least think I remember, it was kinda foggy.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:42 am
With great respect, I’m probably not gonna pinpoint a true age window for me, but that said, if you think about 37 years old as the median age, think of all the wasted elections with that new map and “cut down” amendment that were wasted on trying to tie folks to Madigan when in reality, those “against type” (Republican winning in Dem drawn seats and visa-versa) became fewer and fewer, for both parties since 1983
I do think it’s “fun”, the glossing over the Pate Map of the 90’s that neglected to see (or just ignored because it was about the Senate and not the House) trends in the south suburbs and how the HDems pounced after losing the chamber for one term.
“The trends were against us”
Mike Madigan and the political trends he controls.
Happy Anniversary excuse seekers. You’ve been a victim since 1983.
Congratulations.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:42 am
Lived in Lincoln Towers - walked to Springfield HS through the tunnels from Centennial to Stratton when it was raining/snowing.
Comment by en absentia Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:42 am
Finishing my second trimester.
Comment by GV Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:42 am
My parents hadn’t met. Mom was finishing up her residency, dad had been teaching junior high for several years.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:42 am
Also the first time I met Rich at the statehouse. My last memory of that summer was outside the governor’s mansion with him and a couple others after session finally ended. The good old days for sure. *wink wink
Comment by 50 now Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:43 am
1983: Began my career at IDOT.
2020: Ending my career at IDOT.
Maybe the Speaker will follow my lead.
Comment by Builder of Bridges Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:43 am
Starting my second week in Driver’s Education. I still can hear my teacher saying (while in the HS parking lot), “Is your left arm broken? Then PUT IT ON THE WHEEL(exclamation point).”
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:44 am
Filling up my diaper.
Comment by Cornfield Cowboy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:44 am
I’m pretty sure I spent all of 1983 thinking about Return of the Jedi and the White Sox.
Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:45 am
I was not alive during that time.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:50 am
Investing in microsoft (not).
Comment by Semicolon Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:51 am
In high school, not thinking about Illinois politics
Comment by Wilma Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:51 am
I was just plucked off the street by a pair of elderly men, who thrust me in to a world of high society and the futures markets.
Sitting down, in a bathroom stall, enjoying my newfound success, I overhear these barons of the exchange discuss how my new opportunity was the result of a simple bet of nature vs. nurture. That I was the experiment, to see if they could pick the worst of the worst of society and make him successful.
I had the last laugh, though, and have been sitting on a beach ever since.
Last I heard, they were living on the streets of New York City, hoping a rogue African Prince would offer them some spare cash.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:52 am
Literally being conceived…
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:52 am
Living in a state with a $25B pension deficit (adjusted for inflation to 2019 dollars).
Today we have a $140B pension deficit, and that doesn’t include downstate police and fire ($180B)
Comment by Merica Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:53 am
Junior year of High School contemplating which service to choose. Also driving around my ‘83 Duster since I just received my license 2 months before.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:53 am
College freshman in Kansas, switching my major from engineering to French after a disastrous introduction to Calculus and Engineering 101.
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:53 am
My parents planned and executed a small and tasteful wedding reception for my new husband and me, who had secretly and probably un-tastefully gotten married at the World Famous Chapel of the Bells in Vegas. We just celebrated our 37th.
Comment by yinn Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:54 am
My parents were refinancing their mortgage after the rates dropped to 13.5%. What a deal!
Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:55 am
Applying to a Grad School in the snowiest metro area in the US.
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:55 am
Preparing for my conference wrestling tournament in my senior year of high school.
Comment by Matt jones Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:56 am
I had just quit my first job out of college, without another job. Never made that mistake again. My boyfriend at the time, now husband and I drove down to Florida to escape a Chicago winter. Weather in Florida wasn’t good but we had fun.
Comment by Because I said so.... Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:56 am
Saving for college with a one year CD that paid over 12%
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:58 am
== …I’m probably not gonna pinpoint a true age window for me… ==
I’ve no such qualms myself.
I was a freshman in HS.
Comment by thunderspirit Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:59 am
===Also the first time I met Rich at the statehouse===
You probably meant 1990. That was my first year for a party at the mansion. In January of 1993 I was young and freezing and thinking about moving somewhere warm.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:00 am
I was an 18-year-old hoping the Bears would win a Superbowl three years later.
Comment by Moi Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:02 am
I was bartending and also helping out on the Chicago mayors race. I was for Rich Daley. It was a great fun campaign to work on.Also cold. Those Feb primaries are terrible. But I did end up with a lot of respect for Harold after he became mayor.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:03 am
Freshman in college, in Minnesota, not caring one whit what was happening back here in my home state.
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:04 am
I was stationed with Army in Bad Toelz Germany.
Comment by Steve Ashcraft Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:08 am
Rich, I’m reading the year as 1983?
Comment by 50 now Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:10 am
Parents were getting married, I think? Otherwise, they were still in college.
Comment by SpfdNewb Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:11 am
Forgot to add was filling out the application in a State Capitol where the Democratic Speaker was whipping the GOP regularly (they were playing checkers, he was playing 3D chess well enough to beat Mr. Spock), prompting calls for “term limits” …
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:12 am
===I’m reading the year as 1983===
I was 20 years old in January of 1983 and going to college.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:12 am
I was in my second year as a reporter in Springfield.
Comment by HCMcB4 Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:15 am
Eighth grade, rural kid enjoying our new 10 foot satellite dish.
Comment by JOHNNYBOY Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:17 am
===Rich, I’m reading the year as 1983?===
50 now is probably confusing you with Rick Pearson. Lol.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:19 am
I was 12, in 6th grade, worrying about the things that matter — like what Kristin Y. would say if I asked her out.
Comment by Stuff Happens Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:19 am
Army in Germany near Stuttgart, earning GI bill for college
Comment by kitty Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:20 am
I was a sophomore in college, so chances are I was drunk or hungover.
Comment by JT11505 Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:20 am
I was a junior in high school, probably still basking in the Cardinals world series win a few months prior and probably watching Derek Harper and the Fighting Illini.
Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:24 am
“50 now is probably confusing you with Rick Pearson. Lol.”
Ouch! But then again, a lot of us did.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:28 am
I was the Legislative Liaison for the Department of Corrections and watched as Rep. Madigan won and was sworn in as Speaker of the House from my favorite perch on the House Floor.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:32 am
In the middle of my third year of law school, clerking for a firm at 188 W. Randolph where Gov. Thompson and Senator Rock were sometimes spotted eating eggplant parmesan sandwiches in the little place off of Wells.
Comment by Springfieldish Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:35 am
Pretty close to the time I would have been conceived…
Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:37 am
Celebrating the White Sox prize free agent signing Floyd Bannister, who that fall would help the team to its first postseason appearance in my lifetime.
Comment by Rich Hill Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:40 am
I was 2 and spent lots of time playing with the Fisher Price Little People house that a friend got for Christmas that year.
Comment by Wonk Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:40 am
I had just finished grad school at ISU and was wondering why I couldn’t find a job.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:40 am
In January 1983 my parents were still like 17 years old, and barely dating. For context, I was born in December 1983.
Comment by Springfield Westsider Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:45 am
On the 10th Floor McCormick Hall at Marquette complaining about the cold winter…..
Comment by Annon Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:55 am
January 1983: I was beginning my final semester of study for my Master’s Degree. I was also listening to a lot of New Wave music.
Comment by RIJ Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:58 am
Running for reelection, skipping classes and dating my future wife…ahh, the good ‘ol days.
Comment by Tommydanger Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:00 am
In the Navy, serving in San Diego, California.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:03 am
I was born in late 1983, so I guess my parents were keeping warm on a cold winter’s night.
Comment by ChrisB Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:07 am
I had just started dating a young lady who would turn out to be the best wife I could have ever hoped for. We spent most of 83… well… not following politics.
Comment by XonXoff Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:07 am
Good—working at DCCA in the heyday when anything we could some up with got funded.
Bad—doing site visits all over the state in JANUARY. Waking up to snow coming in under my hotel room door.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:10 am
In January 1983, my grandmother passed away after a long illness. A month later my father died suddenly.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:22 am
24year old coal miner working his 5th year underground.
Comment by Generic Drone Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:27 am
Thinking about having a third child, and in November it was Eenie,Meanie, Miney and no more.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:33 am
HS senior working at a supermarket.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:35 am
Newlywed, 4 months.
Working nights as a clerk at a hospital.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:42 am
Living in Connecticut. Working as Director of Marketing for a company that supplied equipment to the energy markets.
Learned a lot of technology that is now obsolete.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:48 am
Half of me was merging with the other half of me.
Comment by Person 8 Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:52 am
Just think has Governor Ogilvie’s name been pulled from the hat, Madigan would not had been elected Speaker in 1983.
From one who was there.
Comment by D Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:58 am
I was 17, single and not a care in the world. Oh and a huge Prince fan.
Comment by Sandy C Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:06 pm
I was 27 and working as a reporter covering Madigan’s ascension to the throne.
Comment by Wylie Coyote Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:11 pm
Just started my 2nd semester at IIT (though we are finally going by Illinois Tech ) getting used to living on the south side.
Comment by Proud Sucker Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:12 pm
Just joined the 13th Ward Orginization.
Comment by Retired 126 Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:18 pm
My parent had just met and were married a year later. I came a year after that.
Comment by DTAG Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:28 pm
Finishing my 10th month as a new programmer,sill going to classes at night to finish degree,looking forward to Spring and end of my 6 year Army commitment (IRR), relieved I had made it through probation but hearing about budget season and fretting about being first hired first laid off if agency budget cut in the Spring.
Comment by Anotherretiree Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:38 pm
Learning to walk on Damen and Grace
Comment by Lake Effect Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:49 pm
Thank you Mr. Speaker for your dedication. You’ve made it a better state.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:58 pm
I was less than 1mo old, after being born the month prior…..does that mean I win?
Comment by Kahala Caseworker Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 1:03 pm
Let’s see. When Madigan won the speakership, I was walking down Lawrence Avenue to Hay-Edwards. It looks like it was a warmer than normal January day, with no snow.
https://www.wunderground.com/history/monthly/us/il/springfield/KSPI/date/1983-1
I’m quite sure I was paying no attention to the legislature and focused more on whether or not Mr. Copi would let us outside to play kickball.
Comment by WH Mess Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 1:30 pm
Trying to decide whether to accept a transfer to Kansas by my railroad employer. I eventually did, and met my future wife a month after the move.
Comment by stateandlake Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 1:31 pm
1983 I wasn’t even in school yet….
Comment by Levois J Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 1:48 pm
January 1983?
Enjoying a celebrity’s high-profile paternity dispute.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 1:53 pm
Guess my post got lost …
I was starting my 13th year working for the State … and getting divorced.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:04 pm
1983…is when public pundits began wondering how long Mike Madigan would last.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:14 pm
Has anyone asked…Himself?
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Enjoying a beverage at Chicago’s best and long-gone cocktail lounge–Gold Star Sardine Bar.
Comment by Rudy's teeth Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:21 pm
I was a JCAR staffer.
Comment by Facts Matter Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:24 pm
Jan ‘83 I was in my Junior yr of college.
Comment by Stones Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:54 pm
1st year of law school
Comment by obiter dictum Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:32 pm
U.S.N.
Comment by Maryjane Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 5:22 pm
Midway through my Freshman year of high school. Hoping Sophomore year would be an improvement.
Comment by Oldtimer Wednesday, Jan 15, 20 @ 7:18 am
My parents were just a few months away from making me, as I was born 1 year and 11 days later.
Comment by Labotts Wednesday, Jan 15, 20 @ 9:48 pm