By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – An old nemesis says the resignation of longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) is “one of the best birthday presents ever.” Former Gov. Bruce Rauner, celebrating his 65th birthday, responded via text to a reporter’s request for an interview.
Rauner was just shy of fifteen years old when Madigan was sworn in for the first time. Now Madigan – deposed last month as speaker – has announced his resignation from the Southwest Side Chicago district he has represented for fifty years.
A former Chicago alderman who – literally – wrote the book on corruption in Illinois is curious to see what happens next. Dick Simpson, now a political science professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, speculates as to why, so far, Madigan has remained untouched.
“As a lawyer, he understands pretty well where the lines are between simply corrupt influence – for instance, his law firm handles property tax appeals here in Cook County, but that is legal, so sometimes he is able to use his clout,” said Simpson. “It’s a difference that a machine boss in New York called the difference between honest and dishonest graft.”
Commonwealth Edison had to pay $200 million as part of a deferred prosecution agreement for, the utility admitted, trying to bribe its way into favorable legislation by giving money and jobs to Madigan associates. But his longtime top deputy hasn’t seen anything to suggest Madigan’s a criminal.
“My impression is he never intended to sell any favors or give any leg up to Com Ed in the legislative arena,” said Barbara Flynn Currie. “I never saw him use the office as a way to curry favor with people who would try to curry favor with him.”
Currie entered the House in 1979, eight years after Madigan. In 1979, he made her the first woman to be Illinois’ House majority leader. While Simpson said he simply wanted to amass power, Currie said legislation of, for example, reproductive health and same-sex marriage would not have happened without him.
Madigan’s statement of resignation, effective the end of this month, did not mention his chairmanship of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
House Democrats last month chose Chris Welch (D-Hillside) to succeed Madigan as speaker.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
