I reached out last week to several members of the “19” – the
Democratic House members who refused to vote to reelect House Speaker Michael
Madigan in 2021, thereby forcing him into retirement. I asked for their
reaction to Madigan’s 90-month federal prison sentence handed down a few days
earlier.
In talking with several members who didn’t want to be
quoted, and some who were, their minds were clearly more focused on the
still-unfolding events following the shootings of some Minnesota legislators
than on their role years ago in ousting Madigan.
The alleged assassin of former Minnesota House Speaker
Melissa Hortman and her spouse, who also allegedly attempted to assassinate
state Senator John Hoffman and his spouse, reportedly created a “hit list” of
numerous Minnesota Democratic state legislators as well as abortion rights
advocates.
If you had any interaction with a state legislator since the
shootings, you know this horrific crime has struck many of them at their very
core.
More legislators than you may realize have received credible
threats of violence, or have been stalked. Most refuse to talk about it
for the record, but those shootings showed what could’ve happened to them and
what may still happen in the future. And the fact that family members were
also targeted in Minnesota only makes things worse.
“I’ve found myself thinking less about Michael Madigan and
more about another former speaker, Melissa Hortman, who I had the privilege of
meeting through our work as Uniform Law Commissioners,” said “19” member Rep.
Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, in response to my question about Madigan. “We
should all aspire to serve and to be remembered like Speaker Hortman:
ethically, impactfully, and with a steady commitment to doing the right thing
for as many people as possible.”
Rep. Didech went on to say, “As legislators, our good
reputations are like a cup filled drop by drop, and can be emptied in a single
moment. We owe it to our families, our constituents, and our state to one day
leave office with our cups still full.”
Some “19” members managed to stick solely to the question at
hand:
Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, was a persistent thorn in
Madigan’s side: “After so many years and so much turmoil, I am glad to see this
chapter finally reach a conclusion, although I can’t celebrate anyone going
into a prison system that doesn’t truly make people better. Speaker Madigan’s
corruption caused real harm to the wellbeing of our communities, and I won’t
forget his impact on my own life anytime soon, but we are moving on as a state.
Both chambers have new leaders and they’re charting their own courses forward.
I’m looking forward to the progress we can make together now that this painful
period has reached its conclusion.”
Former Rep. Deb Conroy, who is now the DuPage County Board
Chair and who had to deal with threats of violence when she was a legislator
about a bill she sponsored: “Nineteen legislators took a stand individually and
stood together for what they felt was the right thing to do for the future of
our party and the state of Illinois. It was often a difficult road. Members
turned against members and caucuses chose sides. My hope is we can turn the
page and move forward united in our democratic values.”
Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego: “I had no idea back
then what the outcome would be. In the end, due process was afforded to former
Speaker Madigan, the jury made its ruling and the Judge rendered the sentence.
It is an unfortunate end to his legacy and legislative tenure, and a difficult
situation for his wife, Shirley, and his family. However, as elected officials,
we need to continue to strive to repair the damage to the public trust and
strive to ensure we are held to the highest ethical standard.”
Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin: “The sentencing of former House
Speaker Michael J. Madigan underscores a fundamental American principle: no one
is above the law. I was one of the 19 House Democrats who chose not to support
Speaker Madigan’s re-election in 2021. That decision was rooted in my belief
that elected officials must be held to the highest ethical standards, and that
real reform starts with leadership. As a state legislator, I remain steadfast
in my commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity. The people of
Illinois deserve a government at all levels that works for them – not for
entrenched power or political gain.”
This article appears in The College Crisis.
Three words: Rauner was right.