THE ILLINOIZE: Monday Free for All...Madigan trial begins this week...Brandon Johnson's latest terrible news cycle
October 7, 2024
Good morning, Illinois.
We’re writing from a Starbucks in Virginia McCaskey’s town as Comcast kind of…ahem…hosed us in our move Friday. Someday I’ll have to tell you about the lengths I had to go to for a place to do the radio show this morning. Holy cow.
Governor JB Pritzker is on a trade mission to Japan.
Let’s get to it.
YOUR MONDAY FREE FOR ALL
(note: we’re not responsible for paywalls and restrictions from other news outlets, because good journalism isn’t free)
After storied time as the ‘Velvet Hammer,’ Michael Madigan to face a jury (Chicago Tribune)
It was Jan. 12, 1983, and the newly installed Democratic Speaker Michael J. Madigan stood on the Illinois House podium, surveyed the kingdom he now ruled and picked up the wooden gavel that symbolized his rise to power.
He declared it a “new era” in Springfield.
Unlike others who would slam the gavel to bring the House to order, Madigan often held it by its barrel-shaped head and gently tapped with the handle. He didn’t need to smack it.
He was “The Velvet Hammer.”
Now Madigan’s final legacy will be on the line this week in one of the most anticipated public corruption trials in Illinois history. A 23-count federal racketeering indictment alleges Madigan ran his government and political operations like a criminal enterprise.
Jury selection begins Tuesday before U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey, with opening statements a week later, and the high-profile spectacle expected to roll deep into December. Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, a longtime confidant, former lawmaker and retired contract lobbyist for ComEd and other top companies, have pleaded not guilty.
ComEd allegedly put Madigan’s choice on the board of directors and gave numerous internships to college students based in his legislative district, which housed the 13th Ward, where he long reigned as Democratic committeeman.
In addition, prosecutors accused Madigan of scheming to line up property tax appeal business for his private law firm by trying to orchestrate the sale of a parcel of state-owned land to a developer looking to build a hotel in Chinatown.
McClain, along with three others, was found guilty last year in the ComEd Four trial on charges related to a conspiracy to bribe Madigan to win his support for the utility’s legislative agenda in Springfield. All four defendants are asking a judge to throw out those convictions.
Madigan’s high-powered legal team has repeatedly attacked the charges he faces, fighting at a granular level to keep certain recordings and other evidence from being presented to the jury while also waging a loftier, but ultimately unsuccessful, battle to get key counts dismissed. The leave-no-stone-unturned legal strategy — fueled by $8 million from Madigan’s campaign fund — reflects a common tactic Madigan used for years in Springfield, where he regularly tried to win the game before his team took the field.
P.S. The great Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune joins me on WMAY this morning at 7:49. Listen here.
Related: Mike Madigan, once Illinois' most influential powerbroker, now faces federal corruption trial (Chicago Sun-Times)
Michael Madigan once controlled much of Illinois politics. Now the ex-House speaker heads to trial (Associated Press)
Jury selection begins [this] week in corruption trial of former Speaker Madigan (Capitol News Illinois)
CPS board resignations expose Mayor Brandon Johnson’s inability to build consensus, critics say (WBEZ)
It is hard to overstate how astonishing of a moment this is for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
That much was said to WBEZ as alderpersons and others react to the news that every one of Johnson’s hand-picked Chicago Public Schools board members is resigning by the end of the month.
The expected resignations come after months of tension over who — whether the city or CPS — should pay for non-teacher CPS employee pensions, whether to take out a loan to pay for those pensions plus a new teacher’s union contract, and whether CPS CEO Pedro Martinez should be fired for not agreeing to Johnson’s loan idea.
It’s not fully known whether the resignations were forced by Johnson or came voluntarily from board members. But in the end, the departures seemed mutual, a source told WBEZ. Some board members were upset with the mayor’s handling of the strife and the position they were being put in, and the mayor wanted a change, since his appointed board wasn’t doing as he wanted.
Regardless, the deterioration of the board, as well as the public, fraught battle that preceded it, has some questioning Johnson’s ability to build consensus even among his own allies. And it casts a shadow of doubt for some on whether Johnson will be able to push through big policy priorities in Springfield and City Hall, including his upcoming budget.
“What’s astounding is that he controls the whole table, and he’s still incapable of properly managing not just CPS but the whole situation,” said Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward, who has become a frequent critic of Johnson. “He was in full control.”
Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward, a progressive who has grown increasingly critical of Johnson, echoed Waguespack’s disbelief.
“It’s pretty astounding, because it’s a fully appointed board, and for that to be a response to how things are going is definitely alarming,” Vasquez said. “If this is based on, fundamentally, CPS CEO Martinez and board members being against taking out a high-interest, short-term loan, I believe they’re right.”
Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th Ward, a close ally of Johnson’s, pushed back against the idea that this is an embarrassment for Johnson. Instead, he shifted blame to the state, arguing that if Illinois allocated enough money to CPS, the city wouldn’t have to consider taking out a loan in the first place.
It’s pretty rich that Johnson and his allies are alleging that the state is to blame for not giving CPS enough funding, when they get more per pupil than every other district in the state.
Leadership matters, kids.
Related: City Council members are concerned about CPS Board resignations (Chicago Sun-Times)
Aldermen, including several mayoral allies, blast Johnson over Chicago Board of Education resignations (Chicago Tribune)
Entire CPS board to quit amid power struggle with Mayor Johnson (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Parents look for answers at candidate forum after shock school board resignations (Chicago Tribune)
Editorial: That rumble you just heard was Chicago's entire school board resigning (Crain’s Chicago Business)
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