THE ILLINOIZE: The "sham" Madigan hearings are over...Are two camps wheeling and dealing for his replacement?...Pension deficit has grown $100 billion since 2006...Illinois' Electoral College gaffe

December 15, 2020

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DEMS KILL MADIGAN INVESTIGATION

Republicans have been accusing House Democrats for stonewalling an investigation into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s role in the Commonwealth Edison bribery scheme.

Yesterday, Democrats ended the committee. Killed it. Without issuing a single subpoena.

Interestingly enough, Democrats blamed Republicans for the the mess.

Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero), another member of the investigative committee, who is also on Madigan’s leadership team, blamed Republicans for trying to score political points.

“The Republican members of this committee have maintained that actions by Mr. McClain were always directly attributable to and known by the Speaker. That’s clearly not true,” Hernandez said. “This clearly shows Mr. McClain taking action on behalf of other legislators, including [Durkin.] That you would suggest this activity is inappropriate or illegal is ridiculous.”

But Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) said Democrat suggestions Madigan and McClain’s communications were normal course of business were less than appropriate.

“That is not a job recommendation, that is an improper, unethical quid pro quo,” she said. “There is no innocent explanation here. To conclude that all of this is innocence personified is ridiculous.”

State Representative Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), the top Republican on the committee, said Democrats stopped the committee from doing its job.

“The responsibility of this committee is to conduct a thorough investigation,” he said. “Our duty is to investigate the charges alleged in the petition.”

Democrat Manley said the investigation should be left to the feds.

“I think we should leave the ComEd situation to the federal prosecutor and stop pretending like we’re junior “G-men” here,” she said.

Mazzochi said Democrats worked to “deny any ability for the committee to hear from any witnesses.”

She called it “an absolute travesty.”

Madigan lives to fight another day.

SECRET DISCUSSIONS ON MADIGAN REPLACEMENT?

I received a tip over the weekend that the 19 members of the House Democratic caucus who have publicly announced they won’t support House Speaker Michael Madigan have attempted to engage the 22-member House Black Caucus to find a compromise candidate to replace Madigan.

The Black Caucus endorsed Madigan for another term last week.

There was some back-and-forth in letters this weekend between Madigan supporters and the 19 opposing the Speaker.

No House Democrats would talk to me about the potential discussions, which is usually a sign that we’re on to something.

Another theory I heard last night was that Madigan is playing a “game of addition,” and will use the influence of campaign cash (and probably a lot more from union interests who are all in for the Speaker) to peel off enough of “the 19” to get to 60.

We’ll keep digging.

THE PENSION DISASTER

A new report from a bipartisan, bicameral state agency shows the state’s unfunded pension liability has grown by more than $100 billion since 2006.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA), shows a combined unfunded liability of around $40 billion in 2006. Today, that unfunded liability has ballooned to around $144 billion.

Why? Because state pension payments aren’t keeping up.

The state legislature budgeted about $9.8 billion for pension payments in the current fiscal year. COGFA estimates that will need to go up another $800 million dollars next year just to fully fund pensions.

The Teachers’ Retirement System is the worst funded of the five public pension funds, with an unfunded liability over $83 billion. Some lawmakers have argued school districts should pay more of teacher pensions, but the move has been resisted thus far.

Read our story here.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE GAFFE?

Here’s the document from the 20 Electors from the state of Illinois officially awarding the electoral votes from the state to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. But, wait. We saw the headline. What are you talking about, Pfingsten?

Let’s Zoom in:

The document awards the Illinois votes to Joseph F. Biden. Except, that’s not his name.

It’s Joseph R. Biden (Jr., if you really want to get technical.)

I asked around to a few folks in DC and a few constitutional law experts and nobody seems to think it’s a big deal, but it is kind of embarrassing for Democrats, especially as some Republican members of Congress are grasping at any straw possible to try to object to the results of the election.

I asked a House Democratic spokesperson about it, but she didn’t respond.

MEA CULPA

I goofed on Friday. I attended the Governor’s news conference Friday and, along with my friend Rick Pearson of the Chicago Tribune, asked him quite a few questions about the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. I screwed up and posted an old story in its place. Oops. Here’s the link to the correct story.

Thanks to Joanna Brown for catching my mistake!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Former Governor Pat Quinn turns 72 on Wednesday. He became Governor January 29, 2009 when Rod Blagojevich was tossed out on his can by the State Senate. (Historical note: I was about 20 feet away in the House Press Box.) He beat Bill Brady by .9% in 2010 and lost the office to Bruce Rauner in 2014. He tried to make a comeback running for Attorney General in 2018, but finished second to eventual winner Kwame Raoul.

BEFORE WE GO…

• Please donate to our Salvation Army Online Red Kettle to help those in need this holiday season. I’ve been hearing stories about the traffic at food pantries and the rental and utility assistance people are begging for. Here’s the link if you can give $5, $10, or $25.

• I hope you’ll take 2 minutes to fill out our 2021 Survey to help guide coverage ideas and see what you like, don’t like, or want to see more of from us next year. Be honest. You don’t have to give your name or e-mail.

• We also have a virtual tip jar if you’re feeling super generous. We’re trying to pay more quality freelance reporters to help provide good content.

• We’re always open to your comments, suggestions, thoughts, tips, questions, and complaints at patrick@theillinoize.com.

Have a great week.