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* Gov. JB Pritzker on November 19th…
If Speaker Madigan wants to continue in a position of enormous public trust with such a serious ethical cloud hanging over his head, then he has to, at the very least, be willing to stand in front of the press and the people to answer every last question to their satisfaction. Written statements and dodged investigatory hearings are not going to cut it. If the speaker cannot commit to that level of transparency, then the time has come for him to resign as speaker.
* From Gov. Pritzker’s news media conference on Tuesday…
Q: The committee looking into Madigan concluded yesterday, and the speaker did not testify, nor has he come out and answered all the questions from the press, or residents of the state. Should Madigan step down as speaker?
A: Well I’ve said time and time again that the speaker needs to answer questions. These are very troubling allegations against him. And the next phase of this is clearly in the hands of the General Assembly, but I’m really disappointed that with the forum of the special committee that that was not taken up as an opportunity to answer questions. But listen, the speaker can call a press conference today, he can call one right now and answer questions and I would hope that he will.
* News Channel 20 reporter yesterday…
So, as you just heard right there, the governor is no longer calling for the speaker’s resignation, but the speaker never answered any questions in front of the media.
* Maybe a quick check with the governor’s office before making such a bold statement, or perhaps even submitting a question to the governor himself Wednesday or Thursday? So, I checked in with Jordan Abudayyeh just in case I was the one who missed something…
The Governor’s stance on this issue remains the same. The people of Illinois deserve answers and just like the Governor said this week, he stands up and answers questions from the press every day. The Speaker can do the same.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:44 am
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Shoddy reporting, but it’s time for JB to take a stance one war or the other.
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:48 am
*way
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:48 am
Truly amazing how the leader of the Democratic Party in Illinois and the Speaker of the House can avoid all public comment and public appearances for the better part of a year.
What did they say about Democracy dying in the darkness?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:49 am
Typical Channel 20
Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:51 am
Don Hickman and other Channel 20 big names from the past who are no longer with us are probably weeping and shuddering in their graves at how farther down the gutter Sinclair is taking their former place of employment.
Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:53 am
Do they no longer teach basic rhetoric at tee-vee school?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:55 am
It’s a non-answer, and it always has been. “He needs to answer questions or resign”
He’s clearly never going to do that. The ending of the committee cemented that. Does the Governor have a timeline for his condition/demand before he’ll finally say he should step down? Obviously not.
Comment by fs Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:55 am
===can avoid all public comment===
Rich has *two* public comments in his post, how is that avoiding?
===public appearances===
Is it a requirement that they all, any of the leaders, be seen all in one place?
If that is your concern, appearances, aren’t achievements more wanting?
I know you want a photo op, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:56 am
Sadly there are more “News” Channel 20s out there than reliable news sources like this site. Which is exactly why the viral strain of stupid that has infected our politics nationally is creeping into state and local politics as well.
Comment by Concerned Dem Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:58 am
“but it’s time for JB to take a stance one war or the other.”
You corrected it to way, but I do think war works too.
Comment by ddp76 Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:59 am
I think it’s nifty that people think the Governor can force the Speaker of the House — a completely different branch of Government — to resign.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 9:59 am
=== for the better part of a year.===
I think you mean the better part of 22 years?
Madigan’s general rule is that whenever he talks to the press, it generally does more harm than good to his members. This BTW is generally true for all majority leaders.
See Madigan’s comments on taxes for example.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:01 am
== I think it’s nifty that people think the Governor can force the Speaker of the House — a completely different branch of Government — to resign.==
Neither do our two United States Senators, but they were willing to say he should resign.
Comment by fs Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:05 am
“Neither do our two United States Senators, but they were willing to say he should resign.”
Please enumerate the specific policies that those US Senators will attempt to get passed through the Illinois legislature in the next 12 months.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:09 am
LOL yourself.
Hilarious the Speaker avoiding questions from the media all year.
When is the last time you heard from his spokesman whose six figure salary is essential?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:12 am
=Truly amazing how the leader of the Democratic Party in Illinois and the Speaker of the House can avoid all public comment and public appearances for the better part of a year.=
Kind of funny how you want him to show up and answer questions when you, yourself do not have the character to answer question. Hypocrite much?
=Neither do our two United States Senators, but they were willing to say he should resign.=
So, using your standards, why didn’t you and the ILGOP demand the resignation of Don Trump and why didn’t the ILGOP demand that Don Trump appear before congress and respond to questions from Congress? I mean, using your standard.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:37 am
The Speaker has put out a statement on several occasions stating he has done nothing wrong or illegal.
The Feds, not the Speaker are now responsible for deciding where and how this matter will proceed. It is not the Speakers responsibility at this juncture, to put forward proof of his innocence.
Rightfully so, the Speaker is not obligated to provide further info addressing this situation. All people, including the Speaker, under are system of justice are assumed innocent until proven guilty.
Comment by MOON Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:42 am
=== When is the last time you heard from his spokesman whose six figure salary is essential?===
Which bothers you more, the six-figures or the essential part.
If it wasn’t six-figure, you cool with it?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:50 am
Channel 20 is a Sinclair station.
Sinclair is a right wing propaganda enterprise. It pays little and treats its employees like garbage.
I doubt there was any malicious intent, just an inexperienced reporter operating without sufficient editorial oversight because that costs money.
Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:51 am
lol. Way to put words in the Gov’s mouth and say he’s changed his tune when he hasn’t….
Comment by Left of the Lake Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:53 am
Typical sleazy news people trying to create controversy that isn’t there. They are extremely unprofessional as a rule. Pretty sad, actually.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 10:59 am
Saw that story and had the exact same reaction. Talk about 2+2=147.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:02 am
I don’t see where the governor is still calling for a resignation?
Comment by Lost in Highland Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:08 am
Maybe Jordan could teach her former place of employment the basics of reporting the facts in their newscasts.
Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:10 am
=== So, as you just heard right there, the governor is no longer calling for the speaker’s resignation, but the speaker never answered any questions in front of the media. ===
That is a leap, but if he wanted to keep his job, then his leap was more likely just him wanting a pat on the head from his editor.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:27 am
==It pays little and treats its employees like garbage.==
No wonder over the years you’ve witnessed a lot of former Channel 20 personalities later move onto State positions (e.g., Sara Wojicki Jiminez, Catie Sheehan, Jordan Abudayyeh). Although WAND also served as a launchpad to the state for some over the years too (e.g., Joe Bauer at DNR during the Blago era; Marianne Manko directly from 17 after she had left 20).
Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 12:27 pm
This is just a farce on JB’s and the Legislature’s parts. MJM will never answer any media or legislative questions with a possible Federal indictment lurking in the shadows. He’d take the 5th in any hearing, and ignore the media. Any counsel he retains will tell him the same thing.
Comment by thisjustinagain Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 1:55 pm
All the more reason to make the switch to 17 or 3 for news.
Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 4:02 pm