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* Sun-Times…
Days after being deposed as Illinois House speaker, Michael Madigan has vacated his Springfield apartment, fueling speculation that he will resign the Illinois House seat he has held since 1971.
Madigan’s decision to vacate his apartment at Lincoln Tower, about a block from the Illinois State Capitol, was first reported by Mark Maxwell, a television reporter in Springfield.
The pic…
Looking more and more like someone other than Michael Madigan will represent his district in Springfield for the first time in 50 years. Spotted staffers clearing out his apartment furniture today. No official resignation yet. pic.twitter.com/LK0AxA9dOM
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) January 17, 2021
There’s widespread speculation that after losing the powerful speaker’s chair, Madigan isn’t long for the legislature.
“I don’t have any intel on this but my instinct is I just can’t see a situation where he would stick around as a rank and file member. I just don’t,” said Rep. Buckner.
However, Madigan is still chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party and controls millions in campaign funds. Rep. Zalewski doesn’t see him holding on to that role, either, or the role of chief architect of the 2021 remap.
“I think as the year progresses you’ll see the speaker address his future in a number of ways. The chairmanship of the party will be part of that, the leadership of the party’s political arm will be part of that. This isn’t going to be hard to figure out. He’s going to transition out. I think you’ll see him retire to a private life and I wish him the best on that. And I think Chris will be the quarterback on the remap,” said Zalewski.
* Mitchell Armentrout writes a perspective. Here’s the beginning, but you should read the whole thing…
When Mike Madigan first took office in Illinois, same-sex marriage was unheard of, gambling was limited to racetracks and computers were confined to laboratories.
Fast-forward through nearly a quarter of Illinois’ 202-year existence, and the Southwest Side powerhouse has finally given up most of his grip on a state that has undergone tectonic shifts both culturally and politically.
Lots more will be written about this topic. But just imagine the 1970 Madigan being told about the 2021 MJM. The power may not have surprised him, but the dramatic shift in his ideology likely would.
* Mark Maxwell’s retrospective is also pretty good…
Go to the 2:06 mark and you’ll see Madigan denying he ever recommended anyone for work at ComEd or Exelon or had ever referred anyone. “No,” Madigan said while shaking his head.
Um, no.
* Other stuff…
* State Week: The End of an Era: This week, Illinois lawmakers wrapped up the work of the 101st General Assembly. And there is a new House Speaker - Chris Welch - after Michael Madigan lost the support of his caucus after nearly four decades in power. Rich Miller of Capitol Fax joins the panel.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 9:57 am
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Pretty good summary except for the part about the Speaker being a devout Catholic.
He was banned from receiving communion by Bishop Paprocki in Springfield churches in 2013 after voting to expand abortion access and in a 2019 deposition said he does not belong to a church or parish.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:09 am
I hope, for the sake of myself, my parents, and my children, that this is a new day in Illinois.
Comment by SumGai1986 Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:19 am
Recommend the State Week piece. It’s worth a listen, and Rich doesn’t hold back.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:22 am
” I think you’ll see him retire to a private life and I wish him the best on that”
of course, the knock-on effect of MJM being ousted will result in a seismic shift in control of the levers of power. MJM as speaker cast a shadow of control down to city services and of course hundreds of jobs. The 13th ward will become just another place.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:22 am
Series finale titled “When One Door Closes…”
Madigan turns around, filing box in arms. Takes one long, final look at apartment, deep breath, nods affirmingly, turns off light. Closes door. Roll credits.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:23 am
Staffers moving furniture? You’d think a guy like Mike Madigan could afford to hire professional movers. I hope he bought some beer and pizza for the effort at least.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:29 am
“…. and computers were confined to laboratories.“
I never think of Madigan as the tech guru.
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:29 am
Downstate man believes neighbor has moved out.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:32 am
I wonder which box Scott Drury’s clock was packed in.
Comment by Tommydanger Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:37 am
==I never think of Madigan as the tech guru.==
I wonder if he still has analog picture tube TVs. Then had to use either the OTA digital converter box or digital cable to still use TV after the digital upgrade (with the exception of some low-power TV stations in the Chicago area, including that one at 87.7 and Channel 6 that last I knew plays oldies and sometimes has even made it as far south as western Illinois, in an area where 87.7 in the analog TV era meant audio from Quad Cities’ Channel 6).
Comment by Essential State Employee Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:37 am
Why did he lie on the Com Ed/Exelon question? Or is it a lie?
Comment by Numbers matter Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:46 am
We shouldn’t forget the role Kevin Quinn played in tearing down an icon.
Comment by DTAG Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:19 am
Are we 100% sure the Feds didn’t take everything out of his apartment?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:41 am
==We shouldn’t forget the role Kevin Quinn played in tearing down an icon.==
Spot on.
Comment by Druid Eye Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 12:11 pm
== We shouldn’t forget the role Kevin Quinn played in tearing down an icon. ==
Kevin Quinn had nothing to do with the downfall of Madigan. Please look at the facts. Kevin Quinn’s “sin” was repeatedly asking someone on dates and sending inappropriate texts. He was not responsible for any of the events that transpired after, nor should be praised or condemned for the end of the Speaker’s tenure. The MeToo movement appears to have had very little impact on the Speaker’s final exit, or the coronation of a new speaker.
Comment by facts matter Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 12:27 pm
The Sun Times article really does a nice job of listing all the very progressive legislation that was passed under his watch. Currie was right when she said “Mike was on the right side of history”
That pic of Currie, Jessie White and Madigan… wow.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:00 pm
It will be interesting to see if the democratic caucus holds together as well without MJM at the helm. Now we will get to see if if his liability was heavier than the discipline and organization he brought.
Comment by TheUpperRoom Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:31 pm
=He was banned from receiving communion by Bishop Paprocki=
Such a wired and childish post. You have no insight into the man’s faith or lack thereof.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:35 pm
Yes. Judging how devout someone is according to whether Paprocki likes you or not is rather odd. Indeed, one might say it’s to Madigan’s credit as a Catholic.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 2:31 pm
Perhaps he has no parish because he’s a Roamin’ Catholic.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 5:32 pm
I imagine his tax protesting business (lucrative) will be in steep decline.
Comment by Southwest Sider Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 8:25 pm