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* SJ-R…
But with Madigan still heading the statewide Democratic Party — the party to which Welch, Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park belong — and with Madigan’s continuing control of the political funds, Republicans would have even more ammunition to tie Democratic candidates to “dirty money” from Madigan, according to Redfield.
Madigan’s involvement with the campaign money also could confuse donors who in the past maximized the amount of money they could legally give to Democrats by donating to one of four funds controlled by Madigan, Redfield said. Madigan was able to legally transfer the money between funds.
But with Madigan no longer directly involved with legislation, donations to some of those funds would come with less assurance the money would influence bills or gain access to lawmakers, Redfield said.
Um, setting the “Madigan” question aside, wouldn’t it be a good thing if DPI contributions were no longer tied to state legislation? Some parts of that story were just… odd. For instance, despite the “Madigan” warnings to Senate Democrats, that caucus actually picked up a net seat last year, which wasn’t mentioned.
* Back to the piece…
Bill Houlihan, a Springfield resident and an Illinois Democratic State Central Committee representative for the 18th Congressional District, wouldn’t comment on whether Madigan should resign.
Houlihan is Dick Durbin’s guy. Durbin has long wanted to control the state party and called on Madigan to quit the DPI chairmanship last year. Interesting that Houlihan wouldn’t comment now.
* From yesterday…
“I’m going to be an active Democrat. I will be an active Democrat in whatever role is available to me,” he said. Asked if he had made a decision about stepping down from the state party chairmanship, Madigan said, “We haven’t gotten to that bridge yet.” Asked when that would be, he said, “I have no idea.”
“I don’t feel a need to step down,” he said.
Others would differ, of course. Lots of others.
* The Question: Should Michael Madigan step aside as DPI Chair? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 10:58 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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I said yes, for several reasons. First, I suspect there are things that will come out of the closet and hurt the Democratic party. Second, I don’t think he is in touch with what the State needs. Third, he is a liability to any statewide candidate or local candidate.
Comment by Mongo Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:05 am
Are the No votes from Republicans who just want to have more strength for the “Blame Madigan” schtick?
Comment by spoke Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:10 am
===Are the No votes from===
If only I could track the ISP addresses of voters. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:11 am
Voted “yes”. They need a clean break.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:13 am
I voted yes, it’s time to turn the page on this part of Illinois history.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:13 am
We need a state Democratic Party which is focused on helping Democrats at all levels of campaigns and builds an infrastructure across the state. Madigan never had an interest in that and I can’t imagine he will do it now. Time to move on.
Comment by Former Downstater Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:16 am
Voted “Yes”, easy question.
Since that day in the summer that the USA all but was begging for a way to indict MJM, I’ve said repeatedly MJM should go.
This just finished that off.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:16 am
i voted yes. time for a clean break from the madigan years.
Comment by blue line Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:23 am
If Democrats want a new chairperson, the election is shortly after the 2022 primary. Run candidates at the State Committeemen level and take him down if it is that important. He didn’t step down from speaker. No public ground swell will force him out here either. But he might get bored.
Comment by The 647 Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:24 am
Yes, yes, yes.
I’m a very active Dem. Please let us move on.
Madigan operated the DPI as an arm of the House Dems and used it to support and elect House Dems. Anything else was a side note. He needs to let it go. If and when he does, the new DPI Chair needs to be someone who with a much broader vision.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:27 am
Duh
Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:28 am
It’s just time.
Comment by nadia Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:33 am
My feeling is, it really doesn’t matter. 90% of voters don’t know or care who the chairman of either party is.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:36 am
==My feeling is, it really doesn’t matter. 90% of voters don’t know or care who the chairman of either party is. ==
Most people didn’t know who thee Speaker was until the Republicans put him on every campaign flier. The Republicans have a lot of money invested in the anti-Madigan campaign thread. If he continues as party chair, 90% of the voters will know.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:41 am
Yes…the perception of corruption isn’t far from the reality…
There’s plenty of riff raff to go around without Madigan as the Chair of DPI…having Durbin assume the chairmanship has both up and down sides…
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:43 am
I voted yes. Madigan will be gone soon enough. The party is over, and I do not think Madigan is the type to tag along to the 5am bar. He is going to go home with his dignity.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:44 am
Maybe Houlihan didn’t comment because things already seem to be moving toward Chicago Alderman Michele Harris as the next chair.
Comment by Former Downstater Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:46 am
I voted yes. I don’t think he can do the party much good in that position and that is what the DPI chair is supposed to do. Madigan must realize this so for him to hang on there must be another reason.
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:47 am
Lord help us if Durbin gets control. Talk about inept. Can you imagine Greg Bales running things? Yikes.
Comment by Uh oh. Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:50 am
I voted yes for policy reasons but the Republican side of me is still screaming no.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 11:56 am
Chairman of the Party is a thankless job.
People like Durbin expect you to work your A– off and then fund their campaign.
When has Durbin ever worked his A– off for anything or anybody?
Comment by MOON Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 12:05 pm
Yes on the theory of getting fresh perspectives and people into the mix.
Along the same lines, could the media perhaps find some fresh analytical sourcing? Surely someone other than Mr. Redfield can look out the window and tell them what color the sky is. Higher ed has been hit hard in Illinois, but not that hard.
Comment by Third Reading Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 12:40 pm
Durbin DPI chairman is a joke. He has led a charmed life. Besides he is in his 70s also. Why would the Party want to put a 70 plus year old in charge.
Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 12:47 pm
A reminder to everyone- the state party chair has to be one of the state central committeepeople. Therefore, there can’t be a DPI Chairman Durbin.
Comment by Former Downstater Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 1:01 pm
Yes, plenty of talent in the bench time for Madigan to retire.
Comment by papak Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 1:06 pm
== Durbin DPI chairman is a joke. ==
By law, the Dem state chair has to be a member of the central committee. Durbin is not a committeeman.
Comment by Roman Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 1:42 pm
Kudos to Louis for the honesty.
As a Dem, yes. The DPI has been stuck in the stone ages for too long and it needs a clean break from the past. Plus his success as a fundraiser was tied directly to his holding the gavel. Time to move on.
Comment by Siriusly Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 2:53 pm
Yes 100% yes.
Comment by Shytown Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 3:45 pm
How about a compromise? Let give it to Shirley Madigan.
Comment by Frumpy White Guy Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 3:47 pm
i voted yes, because it seemed that madigan’s interest in the dpi was primarily to keep his majority in the house and if he’s leaving the house, what is the point?
10 years ago, i would lament the condition of the democratic party in illinois, primarily because of it’s focus on the state legislature. but a decade later, most state parties are in far worse condition than illinois’ (and that’s not saying much). madigan never was at the party meetings i attended (outside the state) except the conventions and now i would lament the fact that the skills madigan had (old school) weren’t passed down to those outside the state who could really use them.
but there are definitely people on the state central committee who could effectively rebuild the party org and i do believe that madigan should be recognized for the things he achieved (even if they weren’t important to me) democratic party-wise…
Comment by bored now Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 4:01 pm
I voted yes but let’s be clear - a state party run by Durban with Houlihan or someone else as his proxy would be an unmitigated disaster.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Feb 22, 21 @ 4:48 pm