Updated: Will Mike Madigan Be Toppled in the ComEd Bribery Investigation?

Can Lausch bring down Madigan?

Will this federal investigation be the one to finally bring down Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan?

Wait. Pause. This is a story about utility company ComEd agreeing to pay $200 million in fines for bribery, right? Yes. 

But the Madigan aspect is actually bigger (in my opinion) than whatever crimes were committed by ComEd employees. It has the potential of upending Illinois politics as we've known them for half a century. The end of the Madigan Age may be near.

From the Chicago Sun-Times report, June 17 (emphasis added):

Federal prosecutors implicated Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on Friday in a brazen, Chicago-style bribery scheme involving ComEd that allegedly went on for years and involved payments to Madigan associates exceeding $1.3 million. 

Though the stunning, lengthy details were revealed in documents that charged only ComEd — and not Madigan — with bribery, they said ComEd has agreed to “fully and truthfully cooperate” with federal prosecutors. The company has agreed to pay a $200 million fine and acknowledged that it sought Madigan’s help for legislation that could be worth more than $150 million to the utility company. 

Madigan is not identified by name in the documents, rather as “Public Official A.” But there is no doubt it is him, as the documents identify that person as Illinois’ house speaker. No one in the country has held that title as long as Madigan. 

Mike Madigan

U.S. Attorney John Lausch’s office held a news conference early this afternoon with the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation division. The purpose of the presser is, as the Sun-Times's Jon Seidel put it, "to discuss what could be one of the most significant prosecutions in Illinois history."

I want to note, for accuracy, that the Sun-Times report was not presumptive. Quoted above, it said that "Madigan is not identified by name in the documents, rather as 'Public Official A'." U.S. Attorney Rausch was asked about Madigan in his press conference today, and his response was to not name Madigan (watch full presser on YouTube).

An excellent report by CBS2 Chicago says that "Madigan, 78, has not been charged with a crime, but sources confirmed to CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov that Madigan’s office was served with a subpoena on Friday for documents related to the bribery charge against ComEd."

During his press conference today, Rausch was asked why Madigan has not been named since his own office specifically refers to him as "the Speaker of the House of Representatives" of Illinois. His response was that individuals are not named in ongoing investigations and that no charges have been brought against Public Official A.

The charges against Commonwealth Edison include the following passage (emphasis added).

Public Official A was the Speaker of the House of Representatives and an elected member of that body. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Public Official A was able to exercise control overwhat measures were called for a vote in the House of Representatives. Public Official A also exercised substantial influence and control over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation, including legislation affecting ComEd.

As the Sun-Times noted, "there is no doubt" that Public Official A is Mike Madigan.

Anybody who has lived in Illinois for more than six months has likely heard rumors about Mike Madigan's allegedly corrupt ways. He's the Teflon Man of Springfield, seemingly untouchable despite a steady stream of suspicion. Madigan has been in the Illinois House of Representatives for nearly half a century, since 1971. He is currently in his 25th two-year term and is running for re-election. His current term ends in January 2021. (See Madigan's bio at  Ballotpedia.)

WLS-TV has an amazing report here.

Today's Sun-Times again: 

The documents filed Friday are full of colorful, Chicago-style quotes. At one point, a Madigan associate warns, “I would say to you don’t put anything in writing . . . all it can do is hurt ya.” At another, that person says, “We had to hire these guys because (Madigan) came to us. It’s just that simple.” A consultant allegedly said payments were made “to keep (Madigan) happy, I think it’s worth it, because you’d hear otherwise.” 

The Madigan associate at one point allegedly explained that, for decades, Madigan had named people to become ComEd employees such as meter readers as part of an “old-fashioned patronage system.”

If you've followed Illinois politics for as long as I have, or for even a fraction of the time that I have, the bigger story here is the possible implication of Madigan in this mess. Predictably, Madigan is denying any wrongdoing in connection to the ComEd scandal.

The Democrat king-maker has had an iron grip on statewide politics that seems unshakable (as I've written about numerous times in the past.) But maybe, just maybe, a tough U.S. Attorney named John Lausch can do what so many in the past could not: topple Madigan.

Stay tuned. This will only get better.

Related: 

• Friends and foes tell Madigan to resign in wake of ComEd bribery case - Chicago Sun-Times, 17 July 2020
• Pritzker Says Madigan Must Resign If Allegations in ComEd Bribery Scheme Are True - NBC5 Chicago, 17 July 2020
• ComEd to pay $200M in federal bribery investigation; Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan implicated in charge - WLS-TV, 17 July 2020
• ComEd Charged with Bribery; Madigan Implicated - WTTW, 17 July 2020
• Fighting Madigan's Iron-Grip of the IL Legislature - Chicago News Bench, 9 Feb 2010
• Secrecy in the Illinois State Capitol - Chicago News Bench, 18 Feb 2010
• Mike Madigan, Blago Enabler - Chicago News Bench, 14 Jan 2009

Secrecy in the Illinois State Capitol

February 18, 2010 - Yesterday, the Illinois Senate met in private to review a report on state finances. That's right, in private. A secret meeting to discuss the way your tax dollars are being managed - and mismanaged. The media and the public were actually barred from entering the Senate chambers. That's illegal as hell. 

The State-Journal Register reports:

FOR ABOUT 90 MIN­UTES Wednesday, senators gathered be­hind closed doors to hear a presentation from researchers with the Denver-based Na­tional Conference of State Legislatures about state budgets and the national economy. Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno defended closing the meeting, saying that senators would be more comfortable in the discussion if their questions and remarks were not subject to public scrutiny. Cullerton said this applied especially to senators involved in elec­tions. 

The SJR points out that the closed session is a violation of the Illinois Constitution. To say the least, it stinks and should rightly be viewed with suspicion.

The Chicago Tribune weighed in, too (emphasis added):

At 10 a.m. Wednesday a respected research group, the Pew Center on the States, rolled out a report on severely unfunded pension obligations. One key finding: Illinois ranks dead-last nationally in the percentage of necessary money it has set aside to pay public employees' pensions. 

At precisely that moment, the Illinois Senate was meeting — illegally, we suspect — in closed-door session to hear a presentation about state budget problems nationwide. "You know you're not invited," Senate President John Cullerton told Statehouse reporters — including the Tribune's Ray Long, who was denied entry by the sergeant-at-arms when he sought to follow Cullerton into the meeting room. 

"Not invited," the man said! Perhaps John Cullerton hasn't read the state constitution, which mandates an open invitation to the press and public for meeting such as this.

The Tribune continued:

Think long about that. Cullerton, D-Chicago, and every Democratic and Republican senator who played along, didn't think you — or the reporters who try to keep an eye on politicians for you — had any place in that room. The open-meetings provision of the Illinois Constitution be damned. And never mind that you pay for the salaries, staffs and offices of every lawmaker in attendance: Sorry, citizens, it's your money, not your business. 

Today, two very important items come to my inbox from two important political figures: John Bambenek and Adam Andrzejewski. They write about the secrecy and dark chambers in which Illinois Democrats conduct the state's business in the legislature they control. But make no mistake: There were Republicans complicit in the secret meeting yesterday, too.

The deadlocks, corruption, back room dealing and bullying in Illinois' capitol are legendary, and the overwhelming majority of comes directly from the Democrat Party, which controls the Legislature by majority. Certain Republicans share the blame; more on that in the future.

FIGHTING THE SECRECY: The two important items below are press releases, if you will, but they are well written, informative and factual. The first item comes from John Bambenek, a conservative activist and author of the Put-Back Amendment. The second item is from Adam Andrzejewski, former GOP candidate for governor, who continues his activism.

JOHN BAMBENEK (emphasis added):

Something extraordinary happened yesterday. The Democrat-controlled State Senate led by Democrat John Cullerton discussed our state fiscal crisis. What was extraordinary about it is that they met in secret and locked out the press, the cameras and the public. You read that right, they dealt with state business (and likely their massive tax increase plans) in a backroom. Despite our Constitution requiring the Senate to meet in the open and the intent of the Open Meetings Act to require it, they discussed the mess they caused and how they'll take more of our money behind closed doors. They have no shame. [One] Democrat called it a "joint caucus" meeting, so he says it's okay. I could put on a black cape and run circles under the rotunda and call myself Batman, that doesn't make it true. 

But Democrats like Cullerton get away with word games because they have complete power in the legislature. So does Mike Madigan, and that is the problem. How do you deal with a problem like Mike Madigan? In 2012, I plan to throw him a very pleasant retirement party. Here's how. With some of the top minds in Illinois, we wrote the Put-Back Amendment to end the radical consolidation of power in Springfield. It enacts term limits of 8 years, legislative leaders are limited to 4 years. 

All legislation must be made public for 7 days before a final vote. 25 legislators can force an up or down vote on any bill. No longer is it necessary to kiss Mike Madigan's ring to get good law considered. It ends gerrymandering by requiring maps be drawn on objective criteria with anyone (not just corrupt insiders) being able to participate in the map-drawing process. And it returns to 3-member districts with cumulative voting that we had before 1980. What will it cost to have Mike Madigan's retirement party? Just 1 sheet of 15 signatures. If we want to end the culture of corruption and "secret" meetings in Springfield, it costs each of you one petition with 15 signatures in the next 7 days (Feb 26th). If we get 500,000 signatures total by April, we will get this on the ballot. If the voters say yes, it becomes law. 

Mike Madigan cannot stop this. Learn more about the Put-Back Amendment and download petitions at http://www.putbackamendment.com/. Join the facebook page at: http://www.6acebook.com/putback Together we can take back our state from the corrupt Chicago political machine, but its up to us. Can I count on you to get just 1 petition sheet filled and sent back? If so, I look forward to seeing you at Mike Madigan's retirement party in 2012! Sincerely, John Bambenek Precinct Committeeman Champaign County Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JohnBambenek Twitter: http://twitter.com/bambenek 

P.S. The timing of this amendment is critical. If we don't get this on the ballot, Mike Madigan will control the redistricting process and I don't need to tell you how destructive that would be for our party and how legilsators like Rep. Aaron Schock could be forced into retirement. Act now, just 1 [one] sheet is all it takes. Paid for by the Office of John Bambenek, 715 Erin Drive, Champaign, IL 61822. (217) 493 0760 

ADAM ANDRZEJEWSI (emphasis added): 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Basia Sikora Wednesday, February 17, 2010 (630) 899-9191 Basia@adamforillinois.com The Illinois Senate locks the citzens of Illinois out of public business. “Legislature violates spirit of Open Meetings Act and letter of Illinois Constitution,” says Andrzejewski. Adam Andrzejewski, Founder of good government organization For the Good of Illinois, and former Republican Gubernatorial candidate, is calling on the Illinois legislature to meet the standard they themselves have imposed. “Today, the Illinois political class used the statehouse as their personal private meeting hall, abusing the state constitution, the open meetings act, and the spirit of open and transparent Government” stated Andrzejewski. “Illinois is at the juncture of political and financial crisis.”  

For the first time in state history, the Illinois Senate met in private with the National Conference of State Legislatures under a new extra-legal meeting defined as a “joint caucus”. The Illinois Senate gathered discuss the severity of and solutions to the Illinois budget crisis, a topic that is negatively impacting every Illinois citizen and business. Senate Sergeant at Arms held order and barred entry to the press under threat of arrest.  

“The people of Illinois pay for the lights, heat, building, and the salaries of the every state employee and legislator,” said Andrzejewski, “Yet the people of Illinois were locked out of the discussion.” One wonders what the Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, would say about this event. The Attorney General’s website states; “an open, honest and accountable government, the cornerstone of a democracy, can be achieved only through the free and open exchange of information between government and the public’.” 

[On Wednesday, Feb. 17], Andrzejewski filed a “Request for Review" with the "Public Access Counselor" at the Attorney General’s office under the new transparency and Freedom of Information Act reform law signed last year in wake of former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s arrest. Andrzejewski called on Attorney General Lisa Madigan, to render an opinion as to the legality of “joint caucus” meetings of the Illinois Senate in regard to the circumvention of the people’s right to know under the Illinois Constitution or the Open Meetings Act. 

RELATED:

• Illinois ranks dead last in funding pensions 
• Madigan says he warned Cohen things would get worse 
• John Cullerton - WhoRunsGov.com, a Wash Post Co 

Fighting Madigan's Iron-Grip of the IL Legislature

John Bambenek - Chicago News Bench

The following is an important message about the Put-Back Amendment in Illinois. It's from John Bambenek, a conservative activist extraordinaire.

I'd like to note (and I'm sure John won't mind) that although he addresses it to "Fellow Republicans," this message is also meant for anybody in Illinois who is sick and tired of the same old corrupt Machine bosses running the show. Libertarians, independents and, yes, even many Democrats are weary of the iron-grip control.

The shameful way in which Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his accomplice Pat Quinn recently forced a duly elected primary election winner of off the Lt. Governor ticket is just one of many examples of how Madigan and the Machine put their own interests ahead of the People's will.

Whether you love or hate Scott Lee Cohen, he was elected legally by the People. For Madigan to decide, a la Big Brother, that the voters made the wrong decision is, to put it simply, dictatorship.

Fellow Republicans: Now that the primary election is over, we turn our sights towards the Democrats and ending their destructive reign over the State of Illinois. Of these, none is more dangerous and powerful than House Speaker Michael Madigan.

As we all know, he wields complete control over the Illinois General Assembly. Whatever law he does not want considered is dead on arrival. All important legislation he does in a back room free from scrutiny. This needs to end. That is why the Put-Back Amendment was conceived. Despite the fact that over 99% of Illinois citizens do not, nor cannot vote for Mike Madigan, he is in complete control.

We send 177 legislators to Springfield for a reason, so each corner of this state can be represented. It is time to end his iron-grip control. The Put-Back Amendment enacts term-limits of 8 years for Legislators so lifetime Chicago politicians cannot wield power for decades. It ends gerrymandering so Madigan can no longer have complete control over legislative maps. It requires all legislation be public for 7-day before a final vote and that 25 legislators can force a vote on any bill, including reform legislation Mike Madigan doesn't favor.

Imagine Republican legislators forcing spending caps, tax cuts, and transparency for a vote in Springfield. Put-Back does all of this and more. The Put-Back Amendment has been endorsed by prominent Republicans across the state including: Jim Oberweis, Adam Andrzejewski, Dan Proft, Bobby Schilling and many more.

To get this amendment passed, we need 500,000 signatures and that is where you come in. We need people all across Illinois to collect signatures by April 1st so that we can place this on the ballot. Chicago politicians cannot stop this. If we get the signatures, this WILL be on the ballot in November. If the voters say yes, it becomes law. You can download petitions and instructions here.

Together we can bring Mike Madigan's reign to an end. Please join me in supporting the Put-Back Amendment. If you are able, consider making a donation of $100, $50, or $25 to the campaign to bring REAL REFORM to Springfield. [Editor's Note: See below for info about donating.]

Thank you, John Bambenek  — February 9, 2010

P.S. Many of you may have heard of another amendment called the Fair Map Amendment. That amendment is unconstitutional and will be thrown off the ballot as soon as it is filed. Don't be fooled, the only real reform amendment is the Put-Back Amendment. 

IMPORTANT: Petitions need to be sent back to the address at the bottom of the form by April 1, 2010 so they can be filed on time! Listen to this recent interview with the author of the Put-Back Amendment that lays out the entire amendment.

You can help! Download flyers and petitions here for the amendment. NOTE: Be sure to download the petition for your city or county from the list. Here is a copy of the full-text of the amendment in PDF form (please have this with you when you circulate petitions).

Mike Madigan, Blago Enabler

Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna (left) asks a question to which many of us would like an answer:

As Mike Madigan prepares today to impeach for a second time the man whose re-election campaign he co-chaired in 2006, the people of Illinois have two questions: why didn’t you do this sooner? And why did you co-chair his re-election campaign?

 McKenna goes on, hitting the jugular:

Madigan recently tried to explain his crucial part in reelecting Rod Blagojevich in 2006 by saying “we didn’t know the intensity of the federal inquiry.” (Chicago Tribune, House panel unanimously approves report accusing Gov. Rod Blagojevich of wide range of offenses, January 9, 2008).We don’t know how Speaker Madigan could not have known the “intensity of the federal inquiry”. Below is only a small sampling of press reports of the federal investigations surrounding the Governor’s office. They all appeared before Blagojevich’s re-election in 2006. Andy's Full Column here.....

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Blagojevich Wife: Scrutiny and More Scrutiny

Rod Blagojevich. So nice they've impeached him twice, and Democrat leaders all around Illinois still insist that they didn't know who he was until his federal arrest on December 9, 2008. Apparently, none of them read the papers, as IL GOP Chairman Andy McKenna points out today.
The Illinois Democratic leadership cannot plausibly plead innocent when it comes to knowing that Blago was up to no good. Take Mike Madigan, for example, who was just today elected to his 13th term as Speaker of the Illinois House.

Madigan, for God's sake! He co-chaired Blago's re-election campaign in 2006! And he claims that he and other top Dems “didn’t know the intensity of the federal inquiry.” Incredible, and now Madigan will preside over the legislative body that will conduct the trial to remove Blago from office. You gotta love Illinois politics.

Blago's wife Patti has also been under public scrutiny, and for a long time - it's a family affair, as demonstrated by this August, 2008 flashback from Chicagoist (emphasis added):

Patti Blagojevich Accepts New Job Rod Blagojevich's wife (and Dick Mell's daughter), Patti, accepted a job with the Chicago Christian Industrial League. The non-profit homeless organization announced....that she would become their new development director next month, after Labor Day. "Patti's commitment to Chicago and her knowledge of the development community will help highlight our services," the group’s executive director, and former Daley staffer Judy McIntyre, said in a statement. The group, which was forced to cut staff last year due to a dwindling budget, has received about $350,000 a year from the Illinois Department of Human Services. Illinois' First Lady, a licensed real estate agent, has been under federal scrutiny recently for real estate deals involving people with state contracts. Mrs. Blagojevich denied she's leaving real estate due to the scrutiny.

Flash back even further, to a May 20, 2005 Chicago Tribune article:

First lady of Illinois linked to developer A controversial fundraiser and adviser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich has had a business relationship with First Lady Patti Blagojevich for eight years, the governor's office acknowledged Thursday. Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a Chicago developer who has been influential in shaping Blagojevich's administration and policies, has "worked on various projects" with Patti Blagojevich since 1997, said Cheryle Jackson, the governor's spokeswoman. The disclosure marks the first time that the governor's administration has acknowledged the governor's family has a personal financial link with a key adviser who helped shape the administration and is now tied to a variety of controversies involving allegations of cronyism. 

Democrat leaders claim they didn't realize how intense the federal investigation of Blagojevich was. Were they not reading the same newspapers that the resut of us have been for the past several years? When Illinois Democrats like Mike Madigan, Roland Burris or Heather Steans try to play dumb when it comes to the stink around the Blagojevich Family, such roll your eyes and hold your nose. The whole lot of them stinks.

RELATED:

• Patti's $47k Rezko deal 
• A tale of two houses 
• BackyardConservative: More Rezko Connections 
• Marathon Pundit: Illinois First Lady's Suspicious Real Estate Dealings 
• The Obama-Blagojevich Ties - Don't Forget Rezko 

Julie Hamos is Lost and Confused

Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) has been the Illinois State Representative for the 18th District since 1998, but she has been signalling to her constituents that she no longer wants her current job. She did that by very publicly considering a run for the Illinois Attorney General's office, a position currently held by Lisa Madigan. It was assumed by many, including Hamos, that Madigan probably wouldn't run for re-election in favor of seeking an even higher office, most likely a U.S. Senate seat. They were all wrong. Yesterday (July 8), Madigan said that she intends to keep her job as the Illinois AG. This not only makes Hamos look foolish, it puts her in a tight spot. It's not certain what Hamos is running for now. Indeed, her own web site seems to avoid that issue. "Hamos for Illinois" has a tired ring to it, but "Illinois" is not an office, and I could not find anything that actually says she is running for re-election. "Hamos for Illinois" says nothing and commits her to nothing. So, what office is Julie Hamos running for? Her press release today, sent to us by email, was equally nonspecific. (See full text of the release further below.) The press release commends Lisa Madigan, the woman she hoped to replace, then goes on to say, "Over the past few months I have met with Democratic and community leaders and heard the concerns of voters across Illinois. In the coming days I plan to revisit those supporters and ask for their best ideas on how I can work for the people of Illinois. I look forward to hearing their ideas and input as I discuss my next steps with my family." In other words, Hamos is rudderless. She's shooting up flares in the middle of a dark sea, hoping for a passing ship to rescue her. The actions of Madigan and Hamos could actually cause ripples in Chicago's 49th Ward and, therefore, affect the outcome of the 2011 aldermanic campaign. On June 28, Evanston attorney Jeff Smith declared his candidacy for the 18th District seat. Smith, like most, was fairly confident that Hamos was about to bow out and seek the AG job. His battle, uphill from the start, might now steepen to a vertical climb. Smith is well known to the local Democrat power elite, but the average voter has never heard of him. He is best known in some parts of the 18th District as a former legal counsel to Chicago Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward). That ward lies adjacent to the southern border of the 18th District. If Smith can deftly play off of the unintentional admission by Hamos that she no longer wants the job of representing the 18th District, Smith could actually have a chance at winning. To make that play would not be difficult, but Smith faces a possible challenge from Joe Moore. As noted here on July 6, Alderman Moore has privately told a number of people that he is considering a run for the 18th Legislative District. Now that Hamos has all but bowed out of the AG race, however, Moore will likely lose interest. He would probably be held back by the local Democrat cabal and essentially ordered to not challenge their darling Julie. The local Democrats have lost a lot of faith in Moore since he barely won re-election in a tight 2007 runoff. He is alleged to have stolen the election, which he officially won by less than 300 votes after spending over a million dollars and viciously slandering Don Gordon, his runoff challenger. Moore pissed off the SEIU, a formerly staunch ally, over the Boys and Girls Club fiasco in Rogers Park in 2008. Last month, he lost still more respect by yelling "F--- You and your family!" to a high ranking IVI-IPO official in a roomful of high ranking Democrat leaders after being refused admission to a VIP reception for which he had not purchased a ticket. The local DFA has long been divided on its support for Moore. Like Hamos, Moore is now known as someone who doesn't want to remain in the office he currently holds. It doesn't help a candidate when voters know he or she really doesn't give a damn about the office they are running for anymore. It's like telling your boss that you'd rather be working for a different department or even another company. Even without the Madigan decision to run for re-election, Julie Hamos was not assured of her own re-election. That's probably why she was looking for another gig; she knows she's in trouble with her own constituents. One of those constituents is Anne Leary, who publishes Backyard Conservative and has been a harsh critic of Hamos for years. On June 26, Leary wrote the following: "So perennial tax-hiker heinous Hamos is posing as a reformer in a planned run for Illinois attorney general. But how can we forget how she and shifty Jeff Schoenberg, in cahoots with Tony Rezko and Gov. Blago, sneaked through legislation targeting her own district, holding hearings everywhere but here." Read the full post... Everywhere except her own 18th District, that is. That's the district she was so eager to get out of, and the one that she is still not sure she wants to represent. Here is the full text of the floundering, begging-for-help press release from Julie Hamos, June 8, 2009 (emphasis added): For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Fourcher, (847) 550-3777 Julie Hamos Commends Lisa Madigan's Decision Following the news of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's decision to run for reelection, State Representative Julie Hamos released this statement: "Lisa Madigan has been a strong Attorney General and an excellent leader for the state of Illinois. I was pleased to learn that she will continue to provide excellent leadership to our state in these difficult times. "Over the past few months I have met with Democratic and community leaders and heard the concerns of voters across Illinois. In the coming days I plan to revisit those supporters and ask for their best ideas on how I can work for the people of Illinois. I look forward to hearing their ideas and input as I discuss my next steps with my family." Since 1998, Julie has been the State Representative for the 18th District. As Chair of the House Mass Transit Committee, she led the 2008 rescue of the regional transit system with comprehensive funding and reform. Her legislative priorities reflect her commitment to all of Illinois, including new laws to make housing more affordable and available statewide; health care legislation to expand access to reproductive, mental health and long-term care services. In 1981 she joined the staff of then-State's Attorney Richard M. Daley, serving as legislative counsel and policy advisor where she authored Illinois' first legislation on domestic violence and sexual assault. Julie has received more than 20 "top legislator" awards from organizations and agencies and was named one of Crain's Chicago Business "25 Women to Watch" in 2007. She lives in Evanston with her husband, Alan Greiman. Additional information can be found at http://www.juliehamos.org/ RELATED: Field lining up to succeed Hamos - Wilmette Life, July 8 Madigan fallout: Illinois pols survey new political landscape - The Civic Report, July 8 Julie Hamos for (watch this space) Change of Subject - Eric Zorn, July 3 Follow the Money - Backyard Conservative, May 2006 Leave a Comment... See Our Online Store Chicago News Bench RSS Feed We're on Twitter...

Video of Red Light Camera Protest in Chicago

February 14, 2010 - Video of the Valentine's Day protest against red light cameras in Chicago, part of a nationwide effort to get rid of the entrapment of motorists and to improve the safety of intersections. About 60 people gathered at Noon at the busy intersection N. Western and W. Addison on Chicago's north side, holding signs and passing out flyers to motorists. Interviewed are: Scott Tucker, organizer of the protest and Republican candidate for IL State Rep (11th District); Adam Robinson, Republican candidate for IL State Senate (7th District); Scott Davis, Cook County Coordinator of Campaign For Liberty. One of the goals of the group is to urge passage of Senate Bill 2466 (Illinois), which would ban red light cameras. SEE THE LIST OF LAWMAKERS TO CALL, below the video. Feb. 16, 2010 - Update: Illinois Senate Transportation Committee Chair calls for public hearings Senator Sandoval promised, in the record, to hold public hearings within two weeks on SB 2466, a bill to ban red light cameras statewide. SEE PRESS RELEASE... Call State Senate President John Cullerton right now and urge him to call SB 2466 for a floor vote! SB 2466 will ban red light cameras in Illinois. John Cullerton 773-883-0770 ALSO call House Speaker Mike Madigan, and tell him that you want SB 2466 called for a floor vote in the State House. Mike Madigan 773-581-8000 Then, please call all members of the State Senate Transportation Committee, and urge them to vote for SB 2466 on Tuesday, February 16 to send SB 2466 to the Senate President for a floor vote: Sen. Martin A. Sandoval 708-656-2002 Sen. Michael Bond 847-752-7004 Sen. Gary Forby 618-439-2504 Sen. Toi W. Hutchinson 708-756-0882 Sen. David Koehler 309-346-4646 Sen. John M. Sullivan 217-222-2295 Sen. A. J. Wilhelmi 815-207-4445 Sen. Larry K. Bomke 217-782-0228 Sen. Gary G. Dahl 815-220-8720 Sen. John J. Millner 630-351-9340 Sen. Dale E. Risinger 309-693-4921 RELATED: Full Text of SB2466 Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB2466 The Liberty Restoration Project - Red Light Traffic Cameras City of Chicago - Red Light Camera Violations (official) Kansas City Courts Overwhelmed By People Protesting Redlight Camera Tickets Tribune Exposes Suburban Red Light Camera Scam - Parking Ticket Geek Active Transportation Alliance Does an About-Face on Parking Meter Deal Chicago 'burb ditches red light cameras, no safety advantage EDITORIAL: The traffic-camera scam - Washington Times Photo Radar Protests Spread Nationwide - CameraFRAUD.com Pinal Cty. sheriff leads protest against speed cameras Video results for RED LIGHT CAMERAS, PROTEST Residents protest red-light cameras at Heath council meeting - NewarkAdvocate.com Police Cameras at Protest Draw Protest - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com Mississippi House Votes to Ban Ticket Cameras; Missouri and Maryland Protest Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

The Privilege of Voting in Illinois

by Sandy Goldman Sandy Goldman writes a blog called "The Rogers Park Community Curmudgeon." It's about events in Rogers Park (a neighborhood on the far northeast side of Chicago, just south of Evanston). He's a longtime community activist and a Rogers Park resident since 1958. He recently wrote a column about voting in Illinois, Scott Lee Cohen, and Democrat leadership. He's also a helluva nice guy. Some excerpts from his column: For generations citizens have died to protect the sanctity of our Constitution and to protect our right to vote. Illinois is not a third world country whose citizens are required to vote as their leaders determine. This is characteristic of countries like Iran and the former Soviet Union. Many voted for Scott Lee Cohen for Lt. Governor of Illinois in the Democratic primary recently and he won! Now the Democratic combine has negated those 212,900 votes.... Just who do Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, Senator Dick Durbin, Congressperson Jan Schakowsky and the rest of the gang think gave them the right to essentially reverse the Democratic Primary results?... Each of these manipulators should look deep into their own souls... This may well turn out to be the year of the Republicans in Illinois and the Democratic “leaders” have no one to blame but themselves... Read the full post here Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed