A press release from the Illinois Policy Institute:
New documentary “Madigan: Power, privilege, politics” to screen across Illinois this week
Documentary will be screened this week in Springfield and Downers Grove; screenings also scheduled for Woodstock, Kankakee, Elgin, Chicago, Elmhurst, Elk Grove Village and Gurnee
CHICAGO (Oct. 10, 2016) — Tickets are on sale for screenings of the new documentary, “Madigan: Power, privilege, politics,” which will begin showing this week at theaters across Illinois.
Screenings are scheduled throughout the month at theaters across the state.
This informational documentary takes an unprecedented look at the life and influence of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, one of the state’s most powerful political figures of all time.
Illinois is one of only 14 states without term limits, and this documentary highlights the influence an officeholder can wield in the absence of term limits.
Madigan is the longest-serving House speaker in Illinois history and in the nation currently. Madigan became an Illinois lawmaker in 1971 and has been speaker of the House in Illinois for all but two years since 1983.
Since Madigan first became the House speaker, Illinois has had six different governors, more than 200 state senators and more than 500 state representatives.
Screenings scheduled for
Woodstock: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main St.
Kankakee: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Paramount Theatre, 213 N. Schuyler Ave.
Elgin: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 at Elgin Cinema, 111 S. Randall Road.
Chicago: 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 at Untitled Supper Club, 111 W. Kinzie St.
Elmhurst: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at York Theatre, 150 N. York St.
Elk Grove Village: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Elk Grove Town Center.
Gurnee: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at Gurnee Mills Cinema, 6144 Grand Ave.
Tickets can be purchased online at: michaelmadigan.com
Did you mean term limits for Speaker of the House? According to NCSL, only 15 states have term limits for legislators. http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/chart-of-term-limits-states.aspx
Illinois Policy Institute did not specify which offices Illinois are in the figure Illinois is one 14 states without term limits.
Presumably the included the Governors office in that figure.
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Here is one of many stories about the issue.
Chicago Tribune
Follow the leader – a hard game to quit
January 8, 2014
by Eric Zorn
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-01-08/opinion/ct-illinois-speakers-term-limits-general-assembly–20140108_1_illinois-reform-commissio-madigan-limits
https://ballotpedia.org/States_with_gubernatorial_term_limits
“In 36 states, governors are subject to some type of term limits. Some term limits were initially within state constitutions, while others were created through initiatives.”
Alrighty then…
No term limits has resulted in a patronage army for Michael Madigan.
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Chicago Tribune
How Madigan builds his patronage army
January 5, 2014
by David Kidwell, John Chase and Alex Richards
“A Tribune investigation sought to do just that, documenting employees at every level of state and local government who work elections for Madigan, donate regularly to his campaign funds, register voters for him or circulate candidate petitions on his behalf.
By that conservative measure, the newspaper found more than 400 current or retired government employees with strong political ties to Madigan.”
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-01-05/news/chi-madigan-seeks-favors-to-build-powerful-patronage-operation-promo-20140103_1_patronage-army-metra-employee-campaign-funds
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Remember the petition passers in the Jeffery Licthe campaign, other than Jeffery Lichte himself, were all from outside McHenry County.
Jeffery Lichte is the Democrat Jack Franks Supporter who filed to run as a Republican in the 63rd District State Representative primary election held on March 15, 2016.
His opponent was Republican Steve Reick.
The incumbent Democrat who was unopposed in the primary was Jack Franks.
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Jeffery Lichte has been photographed wearing a Jack Franks baseball hat twice at public events.
The pictures are on the blog.
Once driving a Jack Franks campaign vehicle in the McHenry Fiesta Days Parade on July 24, 2016.
Another attending a Jack Franks campaign event in McHenry titled a town hall meeting on September 1, 2016.
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The Google maps picture of the Jeffery Lichte residence shows a Jack Franks campaign sign on Mr. Lichte’s front lawn.
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Jeffery Licthe has voted Democrat in the past.
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Jeffery Lichte has been listed on a Jack Franks fundraiser flyer as part of his host committee.
@Mark you are just annoying now.
Chicago Tribune
A Public Look at Patronage
July 16, 2013
by Dennis Byrne
“In 2011, when Alex Clifford was brought to Chicago form Los Angeles to fix Metra, the commuter rail operation, someone neglected to warn him about the way things are done here.”
“One of the demands – for a pay raise for now departed Metra employee Patrick Ward – originated with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Clifford Refused.”
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07-16/opinion/ct-oped-0717-byrne-20130716_1_alex-clifford-speaker-madigan-metra-board
Wish I could see the file the Feds have on him.
There has to be one….
Chicago Tribune
That patronage scandal at Metra? There was nothing to it. Move along.
– Mike Madigan’s watchdog absolves Mike Madigan of ethics violations
April 11, 2014
“It’s not because the speaker didn’t intervene on behalf of Patrick Ward, who has donated generously to the campaigns of both Madigan and his daughter, Attorney General Lisa Madigan.”
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-04-11/opinion/ct-madigan-and-metra-scandal-edit-0411-jm-20140411_1_metra-scandal-metra-board-ceo-alex-clifford
Believe it or not some people like this guy.
He probably had the idea for the movie.
And there are Republicans in McHenry County who want to bring ‘Madigan’ politics to the McHenry County Board!
Roger, Brian, Randy, Pam, etc.
Be aware, lying Jack is good at his craft – lying.
Check his website and you will see he has Marengo marked as a city from which the mayor has endorsed him.
Now go try to find anything to back that up.
If you find it, please post it here.
Year after year, like property taxes, my Commercial Ins. rates in Illinois keep going through the roof.
Complaining on deaf ears and reducing coverage are my only options to manage the costs.
Then I find out why.
Madigans rat son is senior Vice President of my carrier who I read brokers deals with the help of his slimy dad.
Explains everything.
Madigans and his ilk are like locusts in Illinois.
The Jack Franks website finally has the endorsement of Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart.
That’s a new addition.
He was not included as of late August.
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Why are all these Mayors endorsing Jack Franks if Jack Franks proposes cutting their property tax revenue 10%.
None of them have the right to ask for more revenue from property taxpayers if they propose a candidate whose campaign centers on cutting property tax revenue to property taxing districts by 10%.
So property taxpayers can expect a 10% property tax cut from every municipality in McHenry County.
What’s the chance of that.
Just about zero.
So what’s going on here.
Can we have an explanation from Jack Franks and the Mayors?
What is the catch.
We know there are strings attached that you are not telling us.
Spill the beans.
Jack Franks has changed his campaign website for McHenry County Board Chair.
His campaign website used to include the Cut 10 campaign to cut property taxes in every property taxing district in McHenry County by 10%.
No more.
Now Jack Franks’ website only says his goal is to cut property taxes to the McHenry County taxing district by 10% (he does not include villages, cities, fire protection districts, park districts, etc.
He switched.
And there is no explanation on the website for the switch.
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However, the Cut10.org website still exists, which redirects to CutMcHenryTaxes.org
On that website Jack Franks is still claiming:
“I urge you to support an immediate 10% cut in property tax levied by EVERY government body in McHenry County.”
“I’m running for McHenry County Board Chairman to cut property taxes levy by 10% across the board.
This means a 10% property tax levy reduction from EVERY government body in our County.”
“Join me in sending a message to McHenry County leaders in support of this 10% cut.
And know that I will introduce this plan on my first day as your McHenry County Board Chairman.
– Jack Franks”
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As has been written in comments many times on this blog, McHenry County property taxing districts have major problems with police pensions, fire pensions, and bond debt.
Notably:
Marengo Police Pension Fund
Crystal Lake police and fire pensions.
Cary Police Pension Fund
Woodstock Fire Rescue District
Woodstock Police Pension Fund
Harvard Police Pension Fund
McHenry County Conservation District bond debt (the conservation district is included in the County taxing district).
Many more examples.
**No term limits has resulted in a patronage army for Michael Madigan.
“A Tribune investigation sought to do just that, documenting employees at every level of state and local government who work elections for Madigan, donate regularly to his campaign funds, register voters for him or circulate candidate petitions on his behalf.**
So, how, exactly, does term limits end patronage? You do realize that term limits will make patronage armies MORE important, right? Term limits will place MORE power in the hands of a) those who know how to win elections (i.e. Madigan – say what you want about him, but he’s really really good at winning elections), and b) lobbyists and unelected staff who will have a much greater working knowledge of both process and policy.
Term limits will have no negative impact on patronage armies, and will, in fact, make them much more important and valuable.
Patronage armies are strongest when the same leader is in power for a long period of time.
Mayor Richard J Daley and Richard M Daley were both mayors over 20 years each.
There was no claim term limits end patronage.
I hope this robber is NOT making profits from this!!!
Watch the 1 hour documentary about Michael Madigan, paid for by Illinois Policy Action, for free through 7PM Sunday October 28, 2016.
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/editorials/article110784867.html
BND = Belleville News Democrat newspaper.
Belleville is a southeast suburb of St. Louis.
October 28th is today, Friday.
But the movie is excellent.
Just doesn’t say enough.
Move is available now through 7PM Sunday October 30, 2016
YouTube
Illinois Policy Institute channel
Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics. (1 hour movie)
November 3, 2016
“He’s been called the ‘King of Illinois.’
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is the most powerful politician in Illinois history, and the longest-serving state House speaker in the nation.
This unprecedented documentary explores his reign over the Illinois Statehouse.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgVP3H122nw
The Chicago Tribune also has a series of articles about Michael Madigan.
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Chicago Tribune
Tribune Reports: The Madigan Rules
August 17, 2015
Since 2010, the Tribune has documented Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s political power base and the intersection of his public and personal interests.
The series of stories has examined how he wields clout to help friends and allies, benefit his legal clients and maintain his decades-long grip on state government.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-michael-madigan-gallery-20131231-storygallery.html
http://www.michaelmadigan.com
Boss Madigan
Featured to date 19 of the 67 Democrats in the Illinois State Representatives in the 100th Illinois General Assembly, which will be in session Wednesday January 11, 2017 – presumably Wednesday January 9, 2019:
– Dan Beiser, Alton office (Madison County), 111th State House District
– Deb Conroy, Villa Park office, 46th State House District
– Jerry Costello, Red Bud office (Randolph County), 116th State House District
– Fred Crespo, Streamwood office, 44th State House District
– Laura Fine, Glenview office, 17th State House District
– Michael Halpin, Rock Island office, 72nd State House District
– Jay Hoffman, Belleville office, 113th State House District
– Stephanie Kifowit, Aurora office, 84th State House District
– Michael Madigan, Chicago office (a few miles southeast of Midway Airport), 22nd State House District
– Natalie Manley, Joliet office, 98th State House District
– Anna Moeller, Elgin office, 43rd State House District
– Marty Moylan, Des Plaines office, 55th State House District
– Michelle Musssman, Schaumburg office, 56th State House District
– Elaine Nekritz, Buffalo Grove office, 57th State House District
– Brandon Phelps, Harrisburg office (Saline County), 118th State House District
– Sue Scherer, Decatur office, 96th State House District
– Carol Sente, Vernon Hills office, 59th State House District
– Katie Stuart, Collinsville office (Madison County / St Clair County), 112th State House District
– Sam Yingling, Round Lake Beach office, 62nd State House District
http://www.BossMadigan.com
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There are currently 67 Democrats and 51 Republicans in the Illinois State House of Representatives.
Thus the Democrats currently hold a majority party election differential of 9 seats, as a Democrat loss is a Republican victory (assuming no independent party victors).
The Democrats currently hold 57% of the State House seats.
The Republicans currently hold 43% of the State House seats.