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Madigan issues statement about GOP demands for reconvening session

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Illinois

* Press release…

House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Wednesday:

“First and foremost, we need to ensure the health and safety of members, staff and the general public is considered at all times when thinking about a return to Springfield. While the governor’s actions have reduced the curve and saved lives, it’s clear that Illinois is not out of the woods. Just yesterday, Illinois saw an all-time high in deaths, and it was recently announced that another 136 people died today.

“While I am eager to see a return to normalcy, we are talking about people’s lives, and any plan for a return to Springfield must have the health and safety of all those involved as a top priority, including the communities the members represent.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:22 pm

Comments

Speaker Milk Carton has resurfaced.

Gives new meaning to leading from behind

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:32 pm
Seems like he just took out his fly swatter and used it on a few folks…

Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:34 pm
Republicans are of course flogging this issue in bad faith, but it’s still unconscionable that there’s no plan for the legislature to reconvene. Figure out a way to meet remotely and get on with passing a package offering relief for rent, mortgages, etc.

Comment by Quibbler Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:36 pm
Jimmy D: “when you get 60, you can schedule session days, until then”

Comment by NotRich Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:36 pm
I profoundly disagree with what a lot of the Republican legislators have been saying lately with regard to COVID-19.

That being said, Pritzker is Governor of Illinois, not King of Illinois. And while emergency powers are indispensable when it comes to acting swiftly, they aren’t appropriate when you have time to do things the right way.

I agree in large part with Pritzker’s reopening plan. I suspect large majorities of the legislature do as well. So let’s pass some laws.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:41 pm
Just making clear who is in charge. He certainly doesn’t care about commenters like me telling him how to do his business, but when he talks about any plan for returning to Springfield, I would hope he actually has people working on one. Probably would be worth saying.

Second, a statement of explicit support from him and his caucus for the Governor’s orders might go some of the way to extinguish the fires from the Eastern Bloc and elsewhere. Would be nice if he would just flat out say that the GA will immediately step in and fix any issues courts may find with the Governor’s emergency authority, so the races to the courthouse and protests will be in vain.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:41 pm
Return to Springfield to do what, GOP?

Please, like in specific, tell us what it is you want to do, what you want to debate, what your proposals are.

You disagree with Pritzker about a particular action he’s taken? Which one? What should he have done? Why do you think so?

You have a different plan for reopening the state? Lay it on us, so we can review and discuss.

Otherwise, it seems like nonconstructive grandstanding.

Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:42 pm
If MJM had a smartphone, he could add (sent with slam effect) or include a .gif of Obama dropping the mic. /S

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:42 pm
The only way Durkin will get a deeper response is if Durkin puts pen to paper as to the “how” to go back for session

That’s not me dinging Durkin, that’s me telling Durkin where the next (and only) move is… and the GA needs to think about these things sooner, not later.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:45 pm
Did the GOP offer their proposed budget making the cuts needed to match the decline in state revenues? Do they want to reconvene to get it voted on ASAP?

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:46 pm
He’s not getting involved because he’s letting Pritzker be a one man show. If things work out ok that’s good by him if JB falls on his face somehow it’s not on him. MM better at this then anyone so trust me he likes exactly we’re he’s at in this inning of a long game.

Comment by Hard D Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:46 pm
I am getting a little antsy about everything that needs to get done. Forget the lockdown or who should be making the plan to reopen. What about the budget? What about laws that are going to sunset? What about the hospital assessment/tax (BILLIONS of dollars from the feds)? I could go on. In a bit over 3 weeks we’ll need a super majority to do anything that takes effect immediately.

Comment by Perrid Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Zoom meeting like everyone else is doing?

Comment by Mockingjay Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:55 pm
Somehow MINORITY Leader Durkin has created a messaging box where Mike Madigan has the compassionate position.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:56 pm
Another thing Covid-19 has done is push every other story out of the public consciousness. Federal investigations of corruption for instance. If the Speaker has his way it will stay like this as long as possible.

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:56 pm
Mocking: Did you happen to see the City Council zoom session? It was a disaster.. and that was with only 50 members.. it is a nice theory but the Illinois House can not do a virtual meeting with 118 members.

Comment by NotRich Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:57 pm
How is it that other legislative bodies have managed to hold meetings during the same pandemic?

Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 3:58 pm
It’s almost as if the GA has gone MIA during the biggest health crisis to hit the state - or the nation - in 102 years.

It would be great to hear what leaders and the IDPH are actually doing to make meetings feasible again.

Madigan’s response is not actually a response, it’s a masterwork of deflection.

Comment by dbk Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:09 pm
One measure of power is when one speaks everyone listens…closely.

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:13 pm
On the one hand, this makes total sense.

On the other hand, I think the legitimate question is, “How do you think you are going to be in session if this is the new normal for two more months and at what point should the legislature get more actively involved in the process of dealing with this crisis?”
The state should have a COG plan, right? Even if it a dusty one from the Cold War. If so it is time for the legislature to dust off their portion of it.

It seems that laying out at least how they are working on how we can have a legislative session if we can’t have everyone in the room at the same time. That would seem like the Speaker and the President should be working on. Come on, how many legislators on the floor are actively engaged and paying attention at one time, anyway?

Don’t get me wrong; there are significant advantages in keeping the legislative branch of this state away from things. But at some point, ‘let JB do it’ isn’t a plan. If nothing else you are looking at a budget situation, you have to start at least talking about it, right?

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:19 pm
JB’s got this

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:25 pm
Oh cut Jimmy some slack. He needs to show his “relevance” every now and then.

Come next year this time he’ll be down to 30-something members so he needs to assert something while his caucus still exceeds the capacity of a phone booth.

Comment by DougChicago Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:27 pm
If you recall, various state capitals throughout the country were surrounded by men wearing camouflage and carrying an assortment of semi automatic rifles and long guns. Many were wearing mega hats and Trump 2020 signs. Following the lead of their president. Republican Donald Trump, they were not wearing masks or adhering to social distance. Not a word from the Illinois Republican leadership in Springfield. No admonition from their President or US senate president. Now the Illinois House and Senate Republican leadership is insisting that the legislators follow the reckless lead of President Trump and his militia. They will demand an end to all of this social distancing and safety measures that protect lives. I just hope Durkin doesn’t show up in Battle fatigues.
.

Comment by Frumpy white guy Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:29 pm
Can we furlough the state legislature since apparently they don’t feel the need to go into work?

Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:29 pm
MJM needs to make a decision, do you want to represent or not. There are things that need to get done in the legislature. If the Capitol is too close for comfort, rent out a larger space. Convene session, pass the laws that need to be passed and go home.

Comment by Unionman Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:29 pm
Anonymous at 3:41 speaks for me.

I don’t think we should rush reopening, but we can’t run lockdowns for months on end under emergency declarations. The GA needs to do its job, oversee the executive branch, hold hearings, (online or otherwise) and pass appropriate legislation.

Comment by Saul Goodman Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:31 pm
ILHGOP right now: “Let us return to Springfield so we can continue to undermine legislation, and kill it in committee because we can’t even get our acts together to win a few elections. If we’re not in Springfield, how are we supposed to prove that government doesn’t work by sticking our thumbs in the eyes of people trying to fix the broken system?”

Seriously though, there’s a reason both chambers have super majorities, the Republican party continues to attempt to drag our country backwards. Don’t get me wrong, I think the majority of Republicans in the state assemblies are honest people trying to fix things, and we just disagree on how. It’s just that the Congressional and Senate GOP are so throughly divorced from wanting to help people that they suffer down ballot as a result.

Also Bailey exists

Comment by Commisar Gritty Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:33 pm
“While I am eager to see a return to normalcy”
“I’m old, are you guys trying to kill me?” Snark, maybe

Comment by Bruce (no not him) Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:39 pm
- Gives new meaning to leading from behind -

That’s the third time I’ve seen a right winger use that phrase this week. Did you all get a new talking points list or do you just get most of your ideas from secondcitycop?

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 4:41 pm
Madigan being Madigan, slow walking and yielding power, no one person should EVER have this kind of power in a Democracy. Illinois will continue to be in fiscal crisis until the synergy of allowing good ideas to bubble instead of power to rule becomes public policy. Not acceptable.

Comment by Elliott Ness Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 5:37 pm
== return to normalcy”

is he quoting Warren G. Harding.

Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 5:43 pm
Good for Magidan.

The ILCOP can continue to complain — go for it, Dudes and Dudettes — but I, for one, will watch the complaints from my home. Where my family and I are safe.

You want to go out and eat out? Go for it.

Want to get your hair cut?

Want a tatoo?

You first, peeps. And I’ll watch.

Comment by Mr. K. Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 6:16 pm
=Speaker Milk Carton has resurfaced.

Gives new meaning to leading from behind=

Parroting someone else talking points ain’t exactly leadership there fella.

You wanted him to say something then you attack?

I think that MJM actually was pretty impressive. He gave Pritzker kudos and said the smart things. I guess I can see why the right wing didn’t like it.

Since the election MJM has stepped back into the wings and let the governor lead. An actual governor in charge, Yay.

The only reason the ILGOP wants Madigan out front again is so they can dust off their old Because Madigan stuff since they do not have the money to come up with something new.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 6:34 pm
“is he quoting Warren G. Harding.”

He did win the 1920 presidential election by the widest margin in history.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 6:37 pm
=Madigan being Madigan, slow walking and yielding power=

Really?? REALLY?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 6:48 pm
Hi

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 7:32 pm
Has anyone seen the filing Darren Baileys attorney made today in Clay county?

It seems an odd filing for this point in the case. But either way it isn’t the amended complaint he promised us a week ago tomorrow.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 9:08 pm
Elliot Ness -
:… no one person should EVER have this kind of power in a Democracy.”

Is there some Illinois Compiled Statute that forbids you from supporting candidates running against Madigan? From moving into the 22nd District and running against him?

The comment demonstrates, once again, that Illinois politicians play checkers and Madigan plays 3 dimensional chess well enough to beat Mr. Spock.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 10:24 pm
The comment about running against Madigan is silly, plus the post said NO ONE should ever have that much power.. I wish he would retire and play chess all day long, maybe the State could start to recover from his decades of mismanagement and fiscal folly.

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 7:50 am
The statement he made should start with, “First and foremost, I must retain my power…..” if you don’t understand that everything he does Is calculated based on retaining power, you are not understanding Mike Madigan

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 7:52 am
- Elliott Ness -

“Because Madigan” is a failed strategy.

Still believing in that… isn’t wise during a global pandemic

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 8:06 am
Willy, not a strategy, a truth, he and Illinois has failed. He isn’t going anywhere, I get that. He needs to, you don’t get that.

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 8:33 am
By the way, Willy, the pandemic did not ruin the Illinois economy, it was in shambles way before the virus, and yes Madigan has driven the car in the ditch. Granted, the pandemic is shining a bright light on a failed Illinois economy but if you don’t recognize the failed leadership then you are blinded by the Madigan light.

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 8:36 am
=== the pandemic did not ruin the Illinois economy===

It’s not helping it. Cheering the burning down of the economy so the mouth breathing can say “because Madigan” won’t fly.

In reality, if you are out of work right now because a global pandemic that hasn’t occurred in over 100 years makes you think “because Madigan” at any level… you can’t be helped to speak honestly to anything, including state finances.

Nope.

This is precious…

=== Madigan… a failed Illinois economy … the failed leadership … the Madigan light.===

Narrator: there are more HDems seated now than anytime Madigan has held the gavel.

You’re so far off the mark, if people weren’t getting sick or worse I’d worry more about your own acumen.

Rauner ran on “because Madigan”… lost by the largest margin of any sitting GOP Governor in a hundred years, humiliated actually, as all statewide offices went Anti-Rauner, the House went 74 seats Anti-Rauner, the Senate, Anti-Rauner sits at 40…

Friend… the war is over. The Madigan card is admitting failure. You have nothing.

It’s the virus ruining things right now. Globally, all 50 stares… locally.

Please, keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 8:48 am
=He needs to, you don’t get that.=

Nothing would please me more than to see Madigan gone. But the strategy of yelling “he has to go” was used for four years. It drove his popularity to historic lows. And when it was all over Democrats held every statewide office, more seats than they had previously, and the ILGOP was left in shambles.

Maybe it’s time for a new plan?

Comment by Pundent Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 8:51 am
-Elliot Ness -
Elect a majority who opposes Madigan. Start by running candidates who have solutions that acutally work.

Comment by Froganon Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 8:51 am
Yup, knew the Willy defense of Madigan was coming, typical. What you cannot refute is his failure with the economy, BEFORE the pandemic. Enjoy his leadership Willy, he has more of the failed policies to come….keep watching the timepiece rock back and forth. Keep up, easy, truth and facts about failure…hopefully the feds start to break the reign, doubtful but maybe. Over half a million spent on legal fees? C’mon people, wake up.

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:06 am
=C’mon people, wake up.=

Yeah that’ll accomplish your objective. If the only response the Republican party can conjure up is screaming Madigan they’ll continue to be irrelevant. Pointing that out isn’t a defense of Madigan, it’s an indictment of the Republican party.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:09 am
Pundent- so, you are impressed by this Madigan guy and his leadership? Oh yes, and his great statement after weeks of hiding in a hole…you can have him.

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:12 am
Not about a strategy, about stating the truth about his failed leadership, he stacked the deck long ago and likely will continue on his ruination of the State. Funny how his lack of success is defended .

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:14 am
Hundreds of thousands of essential workers in this state are doing their jobs right now, but the legislature is absent. There are bills that need to be passed. Companies need clarity on workers comp and other issues. Pritzker is doing his job. How about the rest of the party?

Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:15 am
=== defense of Madigan was coming===

Are you ignoring a global pandemic… on purpose? On purpose to mouth breathe “Madigan”?

I’m not defending Madigan, I’m realizing the blame Madigan card is an abysmal failure.

===typical===

You mean the “blame Madigan” silly, even during an atypical time only seen 100 years ago, I know, being silly has to be tough to keep blaming Madigan.

===C’mon people, wake up.===

Ignoring the other drivel, let’s see that…

“C’mon people, wake up.”

Right now? Right now people are waking up maybe out of work because of a virus. No graduations. Virus. No sports. Virus. Businesses closed. Virus.

There are essential workers worrying about getting sick, or getting others sick or worse… not worried about Madigan.

Doctors, nurses… they don’t care about the failed Madigan schtick. You know what they wake up to?

Twelve hour shifts saving lives, worrying about bringing home this virus to *their* families.

They wake up hoping the patient they left after the last 12 hour shift… is alive.

You’re worried about Madigan.

I can’t help anyone who clutches to failed politics tighter as life as we know it crumbling… and those waking up are worried about what today will bring, and only how to get through today… until they wake up again.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:17 am
=== about stating the truth about his failed leadership===

You are hoping to hyperventilate.

Passed by both chambers, Thompson, Edgar, Ryan… they signed on these policies too.

Go to bed, start your day over.

When you do, think about the essential workers, the doctors, nurses, and tell them to wake up to… whatever will stop you from blindly missing what today is… right now.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:19 am
Elliott Ness -
So, in 1994, Jim Edgar was Governor, Pate Philip was President of the Senate, and Mike Madigan was Speaker of the House. Yet the pension “reform” legislation enacted that year is called “The Edgar Ramp” … did Madigan use a Jedi mind trick to convince everyone, including the GOP and the press, to ignore he wrote the legislation and instead named it after Edgar?

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:43 am
=== did Madigan use a Jedi mind trick to convince everyone, including the GOP and the press, to ignore he wrote the legislation and instead named it after Edgar?===

This is restaurant quality to the one fact Raunerites forgot;

Governors own.

To the post, and this…

If the Raunerites wanna come back and vote on resolutions like “We support the stay in place to save lives”… maybe call it the “Appleby’s Resolution”…

You have the Raunerites vote “red” on safety and science… so that Appleby’s can open.

It’s as though the Raunerites forget… the only good that will be part of coming back will be to be seen, by the public, working the problem… not doing things polling says the public doesn’t want… in a global pandemic… not seen in 100 years.

I’m glad Leader Durkin called out Madigan. That was a huge start in understanding constitutionality… but be careful what you wish for… the Dems are gonna make ya look cold, callous, money centric… and willing to have lives lost… for Appleby’s.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:51 am
Willy, don’t need your help….or your lecture. Have a good day, I am sure you will be on most of the day belittling the posts of those who don’t believe, as you do, in the supreme power of Mike. I have family members who are essential workers..nurses, doctors,, etc.. my post was never to question their courage, it is to point out the fact of failed leadership that is Madigan, you do not agree. Sure, blame Madigan is a failed political strategy, my post was not about political strategies. Maybe you need to hit the hay sir, and dream about a new Illinois with new leadership..this version is failure

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:51 am
Also, 18 years, one constant= Mike Madigan , not meant to be a political strategy, just a fact

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:55 am
If blaming Madiagan is still the GOPs only strategy then let’s also remind them that the 50 million dollar sugar daddy for that strategy was reduced to trying to drop off the ballot and find someone to replace himself…..and couldn’t.

Comment by don the legend Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 9:57 am
=== Also, 18 years, one constant= Mike Madigan===

Also 26 years, one constant… GOP Governors.

I wish you and yours good health, stay safe. Thank your family who are doing, truly, the Lord’s work in the medical field right now.

You don’t like the reality that you keep harping on Madigan, and yet his failed leadership has him stronger today than he ever has been.

Maybe the failed leadership is a former GOP thinking that going after one man is a winner.

Winners make policy. That’s the ball game.

Everything else is complaining.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 10:01 am
Mike Madigan seems to have valued his own opinion most…for a period longer than most of his critics have been alive…indisputably.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 10:52 am
=Pundent- so, you are impressed by this Madigan guy and his leadership?=

Who said I was impressed? I’m dumbfounded that the Republican party continues to follow the same playbook that has been proven not only to be completely ineffective but has actually increased Madigan’s power. It’s like they aren’t even trying at this point.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 10:58 am
=== the pandemic did not ruin the Illinois economy, it was in shambles way before the virus, and yes Madigan has driven the car in the ditch.===
Well yes, Madigan really blundered when he decided to let temporary tax sunset Jan. 2015. We’ll never get back the revenue we lost until we raised the taxes in 2017.
A couple things to note: 1. Madison had help driving the car in the ditch. 2. He did reverse the car in 2017.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:32 pm
It’s always easier to criticize someone else’s plan than to draft a credible one themselves. But that’s what being the minority means — no responsibility.

Comment by anon2 Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 2:25 pm
They can work remote.
He does not want to be recorded.
All other entities in the state are working remote,
and most offices have persons coming in on an altered bases. Excluding IEMA PH etc who are on over load crises on stop

Comment by sharkette Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 3:04 pm
The 2 largest debts the state has have not been dealt with properly for eons.
1st is pension, 2nd is BCBSIL emp insurance costs.
Those 2 issue are the problem. The numbers are massive.
No one addresses reducing their future costs.
And that is why we are tanking, and will continue to spiral down.
Add Covid, less federal monies, who knows exactly what went where

Comment by sharkette Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 3:22 pm
What has Mike been doing since the shelter in place started? Lowering property taxes for clients at his firm?

Comment by HenryHorner Monday, May 11, 20 @ 6:44 pm

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