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by jackconaty from chicago

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up close andpersonal with mike madigan
Jan 11, 2008 | 6:04 PM
Category: Political
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Some politicians gravitate to t-v cameras like flies to honey....but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is not one of them.   The elusive Springfield power broker and chairman of the state Democratic Party is notoriously hard to get a quote from, let alone a free wheeling sitdown interview on the CTA crisis, his relationship with Governor Rod Blagojevich and his sense of the hurdles state government will face in 2008.

On "Fox Chicago Sunday", Madigan takes off the gloves with the governor, ridiculing the notion that Blagojevich is a "statesman" for eating the sales tax increase he has repeatedly said he would never allow into law.   Madigan says the Blagojevich compromise, allowing what Madigan calls "millionaire seniors" to ride mass transit for free was an act of political necessity and convenience and a "real statesman would have done this last August."   Madigan continues to insist that the governor practices the "politics of confrontation" and is widely distrusted by lawmakers in Springfield.

Madigan also says the confrontations are clearly not over.  The state faces still another budget crunch this year and Madigan is still essentially opposed to any massive expansion in gaming to close the budget gap.  The speaker prefers the governor show political courage and approve an increase in the state income tax.  That of course sets the stage for still more showdowns in Springfield in 2008.

Madigan says the fact that Blagojevich has been named as "Public Official A" in the corruption trial of his former confidante Tony Rezko is "not good" for the Democratic party in Illinois and he says "that's why I stayed away from those guys" when Blagojevich became governor.

Madigan is a very private man in a very public job.  He's only a name to many people in this state...the vast majority of whom would not recognize him if they saw him on the street.  But as he proved again the CTA crisis, nothing gets done in Illinois without him.

You would think Rod Blagojevich would know that by now.     

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liftstation read my blog
Mar 2, 2008 | 9:04 AM

I think all and all, Madigan does a fairly good job. I think the other side of the room can usually get the job done with Madigan. Now enter Bag-o. This guy never comes to work. The session in Springfield is usually over end of May. This year, thanks to Bag-o, they did not finish until January. Instead of a comprehesive plan for roads, brides, CTA, and schools, we got a rush job and a band aid. The free ride for seniors is a joke. Yes there are seniors that can sure use it. But not ALL of them. I have some senior friend's that can afford tickets, so guess what. They are making group trip plans for into and around the city. Look out worker's, the seniors are coming and they want to get an early start. So let me see if this makes sense. The system is in trouble, so we give free rides to folks that can afford it. By adding them to the mix, operating costs just went up. Political pandering at it's best.
liftstation read my blog
Mar 2, 2008 | 9:16 AM

Lets get back to Bag-o. He has an office in Springfield and an office in Chicago. Both have staff. We pay for all costs at both offices. He is never at either. And I mean NEVER. Why does this state not have recall for elected officials that are not doing their job. He calls special sessions to meet his schedule. This last year after calling one he found out he had tickets to the hockey game. Guess where he went. WHY IS THE MEDIA GIVING THIS GUY SUCH A BREAK? Could it be because they are ultra liberal. If he was a Republican I think the media would be doing a special feature every night. This guy is making Ryan look like a choir boy. Now if you or I don't go to work, we loose our jobs. Why are taxpayers on the verge of revolt? Time for that tea party my friends.
liftstation read my blog
Mar 2, 2008 | 9:21 AM

Sorry, not finished with Bag-o yet. In the hurry up session, there was no time to meet the recomended needs of our schools. Again, thanks to Bag-o. And because the session got into January, we are now making retroactive payments to our schools. By state law, the state is suppose to be meeting at least 50% of the costs to run our schools. My school board says they are getting about 35%. So guess who picks up the tab for the short fall. You and me through real estate taxes. Time for that tea party my friends.
liftstation read my blog
Mar 2, 2008 | 9:46 AM

Oh, and lets not forget about Rod's idea about the tear down/rebuild of Cole Hall at NIU. I know he got hold of some weed on campus when he hatched this one. 41 million dollar tab to do this by the way and the state is broke. No wonder!! This is not going to help the families who lost their kids, or bring them back. 10 seconds after the new Hall is open it could happen again. Some nut could rent a plane and crash into it or bomb it during the opening ceremonies for pete sake. Every school system in the state is screaming for more help, but we are going to tear down a good working school. Sure there are lots of students that think it's a good idea, but they are not paying taxes yet. I know you have been tramatized, but think about the families that have lost children and were looking forward to seeing them graduate and start their own families. I'm sorry, but this is the type of thinking that is selling your future and your children's future's down the drain. Our Governor is the village idiot. I know his wife is helping him get dressed in the morning and putting a little baby powder on his butt. You know, in case he has a little accident in his pants during that morning jog. Did I hear something? I think so. Did someone say, "tea party".
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jackconaty

i'm jack conaty...the political editor at fox news chicago.

Member Since: 9/18/2006


 

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