Monday, June 15, 2009
News / Clout City What will Lisa do?
Posted by Mick Dumke on 06.15.09 at 03:35 PM
For a couple of years it was pretty clear that Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan was gearing up to run for governor in 2010. But over the last few months, as Illinois suddenly got a new Democratic governor with uncertain future prospects and a new Democratic U.S. Senator with dismal future prospects, all of the political equations around here have become a little murkier.
A few weeks go Madigan left open the possibility that she might run for Senate instead. And why not? Incumbent Roland Burris is widely viewed as a goner, and the lineup of other potential contestants—state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, RFK son and Merchandise Mart president Chris Kennedy, Urban League president Cheryle Jackson—is relatively well-funded but weak.
Sounds like the chances of a Madigan Senate run are getting even more serious. According to a couple of sources in the know, national Democratic leaders have approached Madigan and told her that electing her would be one of their top couple priorities for the 2010 election cycle. Fund-raising help has reportedly been promised by the top party leadership in the U.S. Senate—Madigan has nearly $4 million in her state campaign war chest but it can’t be transferred to a federal race—and the AG herself has commissioned a poll to gauge potential interest around the state.
Madigan spokeswoman Robyn Ziegler declined to comment, but the word is that Madigan is torn between what could be a relatively straightforward path to a Senate seat and a reluctance to have to leave her young kids behind as she schleps to DC.
Quite a bit hangs in the balance—politicians around the state are waiting to see what she does. The possibility that she might run for governor—and that her father, House speaker Mike Madigan, is already trying to help her do it by undermining Pat Quinn—is undoubtedly one of the reasons ethics reform has sputtered and budget talks are bogged down in Springfield.
Then there's the game of musical chairs that will be under way as soon as she announces her intentions. State rep Julie Hamos is mulling a bid for AG, but may go for another statewide seat instead depending on Madigan’s plans. Cook County sheriff Tom Dart is keeping a high profile and has generated his own AG buzz. Comptroller Dan Hynes is holding a fund-raiser next week though he hasn’t said what he’s running for (AG? lieutenant governor? governor? mere re-election?). Giannoulias might decide it's not wise to run in the same race as a woman with the name, money, and clout of Madigan. Others are eyeing all of their jobs if they leave them to run for something else.
I should also take note of another seat up for election just a few months after these, in early 2011, that none of these politicians, or any others of prominence, has openly discussed so far. The incumbent has been taking some major political hits lately. It's the office of mayor of Chicago.
Lisa Madigan could alter the future of the city just by running for it and asking a few questions about, say, hiring policies, government transparency, financial management, and privatization deals. Will she? Would she?
Doubtful. When Ziegler recently confirmed that the AG was investigating the "transaction and implementation" of the city's parking meter lease deal, she emphasized that the Daley administration was not part of the probe. Sounds like someone eager to let the public know she's looking out for their interests--and just as eager to let the mayor know she's not fighting against his.
Comments (19)
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What has she accomplished as AG to become the heir apparent of whatever she wants?
her activity in the media lately. I'm sure any chart will show a current spike in her news conferences and press releases. How long has she been AG now?
Keith, What? Lisa Madigan is Mikes daughter. Just like Mayor Daley is the son of Rich Daley sr.Tom Hynes, son of Tom Hynes,Ed Burke ,son of Joe Burke...and on and on . A 100 years of the same rule in Chicago and Il. Lets keep elected the same names, you see how far it got us!
I hope Lisa (D-Mike's Daughter) runs for higher office so she can lose and we'll be done with her. Lisa would be an ambulance chaser had it father not greased her career.
Governmental pension boards may be in voliation of S.O.X.Please read below. Sarbanes-Oxley Section 802: Criminal penalties for violation of SOX Section 802(a) of the SOX, 18 U.S.C. § 1519 states: “ Whoever knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States or any case filed under title 11, or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. †[edit] Sarbanes-Oxley Section 1107: Criminal penalties for retaliation against whistleblowers Section 1107 of the SOX 18 U.S.C. § 1513(e) states:[33] “ Whoever knowingly, with the intent to retaliate, takes any action harmful to any person, including interference with the lawful employment or livelihood of any person, for providing to a law enforcement officer any truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission of any federal offense, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. †[edit] Criticism
Daley clan member Kathy Meany may be a double dipper as shown in Sun Times with MWRD board and Chicago Colleges jobs worth more than $120,000 but Pete Slyvestri is a triple dipper with Cook County board, mayor of Elmwood Park and liqour board worth far more and protected by Banks.
I am sick of the same last names in the political arena. I am sick of everyone in IL politics. Do the right thing, Lisa and stay home with your kids. It could keep you out of jail.
Read Fran Spielmans Column today!Like night and day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IKi2QMQL7o&feature=related
As the city layoffs proceed,Daley approved the spending of $100 million for two new Harbors for the 5000 boats displaced by the 2016 Olympics take over,of Grant,Montrose harbors.
So we save 1500 so we all can have jobs that wont pay the rent or buy food. Two months from now the same crap happends again. Gannon stop bailing this PUNK out. Let him do what he claims he has to do. All of this is only HIS DOING. Some of us call this ADULT REALITY, for the first time in this PUNKS LIFE he will be held ACCOUNTIBLE FOR SO MANY THINGS THAT BUFFERS WON'T MATTER. They all are connected to the same criminal adjenda. Lets also start looking at GANNONS FAMILY TREE. Do you think da mayor put gannons people at the top of that list. If they get axed gannon is no longer king maker himself, HMMM. Do you think gannon would give up his power for the bigger picture. Let daley act on his treats, everyone now knows who he is and like a teenage PUNK he thinks that more lies will save the day, time to take a trip huh richie. SO,SO LAME. MORE TIME AS MAYOR IS YOUR WORST EMENY!
daley, stroger, madigan, et al throw all these nepotistic bums out! http://welcometodaleyland.blogspot.com/
She's keeping everyone off balance about which race she'll enter and thus makes it easier for a machine candidate to run for the spot she won't pursue -- Democratic party leaders will get a heads up on that. Also, qualified candidates for either post will be less likely to run, as they can't calculate their chances if she were/weren't to run.
Interesting. If Daley does quit (and that's a big IF,) all of these ambitious pols will be busy running for their brand new offices in November of 2010. They would have to have petitions on the street to run for mayor by then. In other words, if any of the above run for Guv, Lt. Guv, AG, Senate, County Brd Prez, etc., they will be taking themselves out of contention for mayor if Daley quits in '11.
For the record. When Ms Madigan had the obligation to look into Daley's illegal destruction of Meigs Field she avoided it. She signed a court document indicating her office would not investigate. This left it up to citizens to attempt to get standing to sue Daley and the City. This suit was brought in Cook County courts in front of a judge picked by the machine. Guess what happened. The FAA determined that Daley and the city misappropriated federal funds to illegally destroy Meigs and yer Lisa did not investigate. Lisa is a tool and as much apart of what is wrong with Illinois politics. She's just cuter than her step father, or Emil Jones etc. She is lucky to have her current position because she was clouted into it. She does not deserve a promotion. And if Obama cleared the way for her it would be clear to everyone that Obama is just an Illinois political hack.
