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* Tuesday…
With fewer than four months remaining until the general election, House Republicans said Tuesday they want to remind Illinoisans of Democratic lawmakers’ “failure” to address corruption in the General Assembly.
* Wednesday…
Meanwhile, Madigan, of Chicago and speaker of the Illinois House, responded to Republican criticism during a news conference Tuesday about a lack of General Assembly action on ethics reforms this spring.
“I would suggest that the Republicans that want to pursue ethics reform go out to Washington, follow up on President Trump’s promise to drain the swamp,” Madigan told reporters, mentioning names including Roger Stone, whose felony sentences were commuted by Trump. He also said ethics reforms continue to be under discussion.
* Neal Earley at the Sun-Times…
During the session that stretched over three days in May, lawmakers mostly voted on bills related to the state’s effort to deal with the public and economic crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic. Durkin said Madigan refused to take ethics reform seriously, saying the speaker excluded it from the list of bills to be voted on during the truncated session.
Durkin said Tuesday “I can’t recall” whether he pushed Madigan to put ethics reform on the agenda for the May session.
On Wednesday, Madigan contended that ethics reform “was on the table” during the session and will be in the future.
“It was on the table. It was under discussion. It continues to be under discussion. It will be under discussion when we reconvene whenever we’re able to do that,” Madigan told reporters.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:15 am
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=== “I would suggest that the Republicans that want to pursue ethics reform go out to Washington, follow up on President Trump’s promise to drain the swamp,” Madigan told reporters, mentioning names including Roger Stone, whose felony sentences were commuted by Trump. He also said ethics reforms continue to be under discussion.===
“Anything else?”
If you are running with and supporting Trump… then think you can speak to… “ethics”… you’re 1,000% doing it wrong.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:23 am
There are few rooms Madigan enters where he isn’t the smartest.
Most the time he does that by not saying anything.
ILGOP, you can’t make ethics, or for that matter, civility, a campaign issue with your idol Trump.
You lied down with a dog, enjoy the fleas.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:30 am
That old saying “Pot calling the kettle black” just popped into my head.
Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:31 am
Madigan isn’t wrong to point DC corruption out — and it will certainly create lovely sound bytes for his party — but it’s still textbook deflection and whataboutism.
Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:31 am
If you are running with and supporting Trump… then think you can speak to… “ethics”… you’re 1,000% doing it wrong.
Agreed, however, this is a pot/kettle situation. The fact that Trump is a slime ball doesn’t change the fact that Illinois has a pretty sizable swamp of it’s own that Madigan and Co. refuse to address.
Comment by Birds on the Bat Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:34 am
Durkin “can’t recall”? May wasn’t all that long ago.
Comment by JoanP Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:35 am
Good on Madigan and the correct thing to say. Look at Trump’s corruption, GOP complicity and exploding deficit and debt under him before throwing stones. The ILGOP will have that competing narrative. That’s what happens when you rely on attacking opponents but don’t present policies voters want.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:35 am
So Mr. Willy, the multiple indictments coming out of Springfield get to be ignored or remain under study for a few more years? Or if we get a new Democratic President following the November elections Mr. Madigan will leap into action on this subject? Try harder.
Illinois can be a model of ethics reform for the rest of the nation to follow if it wishes to do so.
The controlling political party understands it. The person who heads up that party does as well.
Nice deflection.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:35 am
=== but it’s still textbook deflection and whataboutism.===
With respect… no.
The thing about ethics… you can’t “smorgasbord” ethics… like support Trump and see his overtly ethical … “lapses”… then claim you are about ethics.
If you are picking and choosing ethics… you lack ethics.
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:35 am
Blaming Trump doesn’t make you the smartest guy in the room. It’s actually a pretty lazy argument and has no bearing on the need for ethics reform in Illinois. It’s a red herring.
Second, Durkin has been labeled a never Trumper several times by certain “GOP” folks, so I think he’s pretty qualified to take Madigan, and the Democratic Party’s inaction to task if that’s the purity metric for criticism of the powers that be in Illinois.
Comment by Phenomynous Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:37 am
===the multiple indictments coming out of Springfield get to be ignored or remain under study for a few more years?===
- Louis G Atsaves -
Do you support Trump?
It’s a yes or no… if we want make it about ethics.
Which one of these Raunerites harping about ethics want a Trump yard sign next to their yard sign?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:38 am
=== Durkin has been labeled a never Trumper several times by certain “GOP” folks, so I think he’s pretty qualified to take Madigan, and the Democratic Party’s inaction to task if that’s the purity metric for criticism of the powers that be in Illinois.===
Have Mr. Batinick and Mr. Windhorst come out as “never Trumpers”? They were quoted too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:41 am
Last time I checked the Constitution, state representatives and senators don’t get to vote in the US Congress or Senate. The blame Trump canard is as lame as blame Madigan.
Comment by Angry Republican Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:51 am
=If you are running with and supporting Trump… then think you can speak to… “ethics”… you’re 1,000% doing it wrong=
Also, “morals” (*cough* evangelicals *cough cough*)
Comment by LakeCo Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:51 am
=== …state representatives and senators don’t get to vote in the US Congress or Senate. The blame Trump canard is as lame as blame Madigan.====
If your ethics is portable, you have no ethics.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:53 am
JoanP, May feels to me like at least a year ago. Time has become a funny creature during this strange time.
Comment by OK Boomer Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:56 am
“There are few rooms Madigan enters where he isn’t the smartest.”
Indeed, but since he has also seen to it that Springfield is populated by third raters who will obediently follow orders, it isn’t much of a boast.
Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:59 am
Phenonymous-
I didn’t say blaming Trump made Madigan smart. Madigan being smart makes him smart.
Being labeled a never Trump doesn’t make you one.
Has Durkin come out specifically against Trump, denouncing his statements/policies?
You’re dislike of Madigan has no bearing on facts.
Since you wish to bring up red herrings, that one is a whale.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:09 am
“The blame Trump canard”
Of course, you’re right. Bringing up federal politics to make one’s case locally is completely beyond the pale and is rarely done.
Whether relevant or not, it’s been fair game since day one.
Wake up.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:13 am
=== it’s still textbook deflection and whataboutism ===
Madigan impeached Blagojevich, Trump released Blagojevich.
Madigan fires people for bullying, Trump encourages bullying.
Madigan opposes excessive police force, Trump uses it to clear way for a photo op.
You cannot pretend these issues are unrelated to each other and the ultimate goal of ensuring honest, moral, accountable government.
As The Bible says, get the plank out of your own eye before you complain about the fleck in mine.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:17 am
The smart policy would have been for the Democrats to tackle ethics legislatively months ago. But if Durkin is trying to paint his Republicans as ethical standardbearers, it’s pretty smart politics to tie them to our ethics-challenged commander-in-chief. It forces them to choose a side–ethics or their party leader.
Comment by Benjamin Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:23 am
Is there a participant limit for Madigan’s Zoom meeting on Whataboutism?
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:24 am
I’m a democrat. I’ve helped elect dozens of other Democrats. I have won elections myself under the Democratic Party banner.
Our entire system in Illinois is corrupt. MJM led the effort to c create the oligarchy that currently controls Illinois.
Trump being corrupt does not mean Illinois is not. They are both bad.
MJM will never change the system that he designed and benefits from.
Comment by Altgelds Ghost Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:28 am
“Is there a participant limit”
117, but it’s usually around 73.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:30 am
=== Whataboutism===
How can… ethics… be a “Whataboutism”
It can’t. Your ethics are predicated on the ideal that ethics aren’t portable, they are the foundation of morality, honesty, and truth.
Unless the HRaunerites would like to disavow Trump on ethics, it’s fair game to wonder aloud how members like Mr. Batinick and Mr. Wilhour support Trump, ethically, and decide ethics is a political stand they want to discuss.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:36 am
Still waiting on that condemnation by Leader Durkin on Trump regarding, well, anything.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:40 am
When have Democrats led by Mike Madigan for the past few decades ever accepted responsibility for any of the problems in Illinois?
Strange how everything is always Trump or Rauner’s fault.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:46 am
A lot of people in glass houses throwing stones lately.
While both parties shift blame, appeasing their base, they continue driving a dangerous narrative to people that corruption is a part of state and national politics that is to be tolerated if your party is in control and only condemned if it is the other party.
To IL current affairs, the joint ethics commission need to come back from holiday and issue their report. They don’t need to take votes to issue a report. By taking that step, we can actually have recs for the General Assembly to consider when they can meet again.
Comment by twowaystreet Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:49 am
Deflection once again, republicans gerrymander maps in their states so it is alright for us to do the same. No, right is right and wrong is wrong. Corruption is wrong at all levels so don’t try pointing at the speck in someone else’s eye when you have a log in your own eye that you are ignoring. Things sit on the table for many reasons and some things never get picked up from the table. You want police reform then go back to Springfield and pass legislation that strengthens reform and weakens police union contracts that help cover up bad cops. Actually do something on issues, stop saying it’s on the table or in the works, action not talk..
Comment by Arock Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:56 am
=== When have Democrats led by Mike Madigan for the past few decades ever accepted responsibility for any of the problems in Illinois?===
Every two years all electeds face the voters, and Rauner, who wholly failed, was humiliated, not by his ethical lapses or ruining Illinois, Rauner asked others to run in his place to avoid what happened; the largest defeat of a sitting GOP Governor in 100 years.
Voters choose, your beef is with voters it appears.
Trump… oh… he lost by 16 points in Illinois last time, might be the same this time too.
But, you already know that.
:)
Dems, and the Raunerites, face the voters. You don’t like the outcome, well..,
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:57 am
===…republicans gerrymander maps in their states so it is alright for us to do the same.===
Explain statewide wins… lol
This…
=== While both parties shift blame, appeasing their base, they continue driving a dangerous narrative to people that corruption is a part of state and national politics that is to be tolerated if your party is in control and only condemned if it is the other party.===
Ethics aren’t portable, and ethics aren’t partisan.
Yep.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:59 am
“When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back to you.”
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:02 am
Madigan is the gift that keeps taking for the ILGOP. The party is like a gambler who keeps chasing losses and going down the drain. It’s not Madigan but lousy policies and governance (see Rauner) that are responsible for the current state of the ILGOP. But attacking Madigan is so alluring because it means not having to run on protecting the richest at all costs, big cuts to social services, anti-unionism, anti-choice and the rest.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:05 am
===How can… ethics… be a “Whataboutism”===
So claims Oswego Willy as he immediately does the whataboutism nonsense by bringing up Trump and Raunerites.
If you live in a glass house Mr. Willy I suggest you change your underwear in the basement.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:06 am
=== he immediately does the whataboutism nonsense by bringing up Trump and Raunerites.===
Counselor, LOL
If Raunerites and supporters of Trump are wringing their hands… their own phony concern about ethics is based on their own lack of ethics.
You’d think someone who takes an oath as an attorney would grasp the idea that ethics aren’t portable.
I noticed you didn’t answer if you support Trump, which in of itself explains why you lack the ethical understanding of this
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:10 am
==Ethics aren’t portable, and ethics aren’t partisan.==
I agree on both points, but that doesn’t change the fact that both parties put partisan spins on ethics and shift blame for political convenience.
Comment by twowaystreet Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:12 am
=== but that doesn’t change the fact===
… which is not what I’m saying.
Leader Durkin, Mr. Batinick, Mr. Winhour can choose, even now, to make a point that Trump’s ethics they abhor and are looking at ethics here and Trump’s ethics the same.
Will they? Dunno.
If not, then your response also rings true with all.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:15 am
One rat pointing out another rat doesn’t solve the problem. They are both still rats.
Comment by Really Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:22 am
- If you live in a glass house -
Isn’t there someone living in your house that got a sweet appointment from Rauner after you supported his campaign? Is that the kind of good government ethics your party is going to champion?
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:22 am
Corruption at the Federal level is tied to Trump. Get rid of Trump and the system may be able to cleanse itself.
Corruption at the State level is baked into the system. Dramatic changes are needed. Ethics reform is a start.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:26 am
let’s be real here. Few really care about ethics in illinois.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:35 am
Corruption is systemic in the national GOP because it refuses to impeach and remove Trump, so unlike Madigan and Blagojevich.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:40 am
= republicans gerrymander maps in their states so it is alright for us to do the same. No, right is right and wrong is wrong=
Look, if you’re a Democrat, as I am, why would I consent to one-sided disarming? I have ZERO faith that Republicans in other states will adopt a fair map when they’re out purging voter rolls, implementing voter ID laws that discriminate against minorities and low-income voters, and eliminating polling places en masse, again, predominantly in minority communities. They’re actively campaigning against vote by mail and more Republicans than just the President have said that if everyone votes, Republicans lose.
They’re going to cling to any lever of power until its pried from their cold, dead hands. As far as I’m concerned, the IL Legislature should go full Wisconsin on gerrymandering until there is a Federal solution.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:40 am
“Madigan impeached Blagojevich, Trump released Blagojevich.”
By itself, this fact renders any effort to separate Trump’s ethics from Illinois political ethics disingenuous at best.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 12:05 pm
We’re in the elite when it comes to state corruption
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/ranking-the-states-from-most-to-least-corrupt/
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 12:11 pm
Madigan’s statement about Trump is a classic red herring. Even if you accept that Trump is an ethics catastrophe and the GOP has enable him, that doesn’t justify failing to address Illinois’ problems.
Comment by Pelonski Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 12:34 pm
=== Even if you accept that Trump is an ethics catastrophe===
… it appears Mr. Batinick and Mr. Wilhour have not.
That’s the rub.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 12:36 pm
Maybe it’s third time charmed.
Fire Madigan v.1.0 failed miserably
Fire Madigan v.2.0 failed miserably
Maybe Fire Madigan v.3.0 finally works. Maybe.
What is the over/under line for Dem vs GOP seats in the IL House after November 2020?
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 12:45 pm
Efudd
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/483489-gop-illinois-house-leader-slams-trump-for-commuting-blagojevichs
Comment by Phenomynous Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 12:55 pm
@Oswego Willy, so you support Madigan and I supported Rauner. And your support means your lack of ethics is not portable and my support is?
Welcome to the club.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:14 pm
I’ve gone chapter and verse on this for two days;
It’s the timing to the politics and the governing, not unlike fair maps, that I support but timing and such this session make it impossible
I know you lack ethics here, that’s easy to see. I see this situation as untenable to Durkin, et al, given Trump.
I appreciate you calling yourself unethical, counselor, as I’m sure your clients appreciate it too…
LOL
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:20 pm
=== so you support Madigan and I supported Rauner. And your support means your lack of ethics is not portable and my support is?===
Again, you support Trump, don’t you, counselor?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:21 pm
If you are campaigning for an elected position with (R) after your name, don’t bother knocking on my door. There isn’t anything you can say to ever make me vote for you.
Your national party is a stinking, festering cesspool of fetid corruption lead by an immoral, ethically challenged, racist, narcissistic bully who couldn’t find the word “ethics” in the dictionary. He is aided and abetted by his administration to rule as a despotic leader, envious of the tyrannical regimes of other countries.
Your State party can’t leash a grandstanding,
egotistical legislator who think only of their interests during a lethal pandemic, couching their actions as “protecting” the constitution. Your party are cheerleaders to the national party and its foulness.
The Democratic Party is not without sin. They have ethically challenged people. Madigan is the leader of 1/2 of a coequal branch of government. Because of his power and length of service, he has the ability to enact ethics reform.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:35 pm
I wish Louis would put on his BBP’s and answer a simple question?
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:07 pm
===It’s the timing to the politics and the governing, not unlike fair maps, that I support but timing and such this session make it impossible===
And when would that timing allow you to shift from supporting unethical behavior and begin supporting ethical behavior?
Or at least admit that supporting such unethical behavior makes you unethical according to OswegoWilly Rules. Or do those rules simply do not apply to you?
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:29 pm
=== And when would that timing allow you to shift from supporting unethical behavior and begin supporting ethical behavior?
Or at least admit that supporting such unethical behavior makes you unethical according to … Rules. Or do those rules simply do not apply to you?===
Narrator: Louis G Atsaves won’t answer that he supports Donald Trump.
Let’s break it down, shall we counselor?
“And when would that timing allow you to shift from supporting unethical behavior and begin supporting ethical behavior?“
I support the moving of an ethics package. Raunerites thinking supporting Trump (as you support Trump, - Louis G Atsaves -) makes little sense politically when unemployment issues at IDES, a global pandemic is raging, and the utter hypocrisy of supporting Donald J. Trump (as you do, - Louis G Atsaves -) makes the idea of leverage to Dems untenable.
===Or at least admit that supporting such unethical behavior makes you unethical according to …Rules.===
This is projecting. This is gaslighting.
As your family made out really well with Rauner, you ignored ALL Rauner’s ethical lapses, while cashing checks.
Your family, making out well, while ignoring ethics, makes one question how your gaslighting and projecting makes sense.
That’s right, you support Donald J. Trump.
===Or do those rules simply do not apply to you?===
The politics of moving legislation and moving it when it’s ripe includes not being wholly hypocritical to the legislation itself.
When Mr. Batinick, Mr. Wilhour, and even you disavow Trump, then you might have a reason to not gaslight.
I support the ethics packages. Deciding that “now” is its right time is tone deaf to Raunerite/Trump challenges.
If you ignore ethics, I can see how one thinks it’s ok to push it now…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:14 pm
@OswegoWilly, you support the ethics packages and you support Mr. Madigan’s refusal to move them forward. Talking out of both sides of your mouth? There is a time for ethics reforms and a time to put ethics reforms aside? OswegoWilly Rules. Do I first demand that you disavow Mr. Madigan, who you have avidly defended the past few years? Who is gaslighting who here?
If you want me to play your little game, then lay out the rules in advance, and not after the game begins.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:39 pm
=== you support the ethics packages and you support Mr. Madigan’s refusal to move them forward.===
No, counselor, you’re ignorance again gets the best of you.
“I support the ethics packages. Deciding that ‘now’ is its right time is tone deaf to Raunerite/Trump challenges.”
(That Raunerites right now think it’s ok is lunacy, given Trump, but you support Trump so you can’t grasp that)
“If you ignore ethics, I can see how one thinks it’s ok to push it”
=== There is a time for ethics reforms and a time to put ethics reforms aside? … Rules.===
Your lack of ethics … to say to you that pushing an ethics proposal while supporting Trump… works.
I’d probably stop as others are reading you lack of ethical acumen here.
I also said, you can read it;
“When Mr. Batinick, Mr. Wilhour, and even you disavow Trump, then you might have a reason to not gaslight.
I support the ethics packages. Deciding that ‘now’ is its right time is tone deaf to Raunerite/Trump challenges.”
Are you ready to disavow Trump? How about Mr. Batinick? Mr. Winhour? Hmm.
===If you want me to play your little game, then lay out the rules in advance, and not after the game begins.===
There’s no game when it comes to hypocrisy of ethics.
Only the unethical look for loopholes.
Again, you’ve yet to say you support Trump… why, counselor?
Because he’s a racist and ethically compromised?
Yet, here you are…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Louis, Ok, to stop your silliness what if OW agrees it’s time to move ethics legislation forward. So what. What he wants doesn’t matter but your hypocrisy is glaring.
You can’t say I support Rauner and Trump and please move ethics reform forward Mr. Speaker. See the hypocrisy?
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 4:08 pm
=== agrees it’s time to move ethics legislation forward. So what. What he wants doesn’t matter but your hypocrisy is glaring.===
Ball Game.
I’m not a GA member, not the governor, not an appointee, not a staffer or on a Crew.
My point has always been what you put so eloquently;
=== You can’t say I support Rauner and Trump and please move ethics reform forward Mr. Speaker. See the hypocrisy?===
Yikes, that’s good.
Be well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 4:13 pm
- put on his BBP’s -
Give him some time, they’re extraordinarily B.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 4:26 pm
== If your ethics is portable, you have no ethics. ==
Willy, I don’t know about you but I take my ethics with me wherever I go; as portable as an American Express card.
Comment by Angry Republican Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 5:09 pm
===portable as an American Express card.===
Don’t leave home without it…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 5:18 pm
Be it Lucky Pierre or Louis Astaves we can’t take the calls for ethics reforms from hyper-partisans seriously. If you truly believe in ethics, and I do, you apply the same standards regardless of person or party. We do need ethics reform in this state. Those that would enable and/or excuse the ethics of our most recent former governor and current President are not in a position to advocate for those reforms.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 6:06 pm