15 Jan 2017

Madigan’s Re-election a Joyless Affair

By Rich Miller

If I had to choose a word to describe the Democrats’ nominating speeches for House Speaker Michael Madigan’s re-election last week, it would be either “defensive” or “joyless.”

The speeches seemed directly aimed at Madigan’s toughest critics – and there are plenty of those out there. The nominators at times angrily justified their own votes for Madigan and their continued willingness to support him while under siege by a hostile kabillionaire governor and much of the state’s media. They literally cannot go anywhere without being asked about why they continue to back Madigan.

08 Jan 2017

Rauner’s Constant Campaign Could Eventually Backfire

By Rich Miller

Governor Bruce Rauner was asked last month by a Chicago TV reporter if he planned to run for re-election. Rauner said he wasn’t focused on such things.

Three days later, Rauner contributed $50-million to his own campaign fund.

31 Dec 2016

Illinois in Danger of Becoming a “Failed State”

By Rich Miller

Let’s take a look at headlines from just one day in December.

25 Dec 2016

E-mails Illustrate Governor's Hard-Line Outlook

By Rich Miller

If you want to see how Governor Bruce Rauner's mind works, you should skim through the vast trove of e-mails from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's private account that a Better Government Association lawsuit finally forced into public view last week. 

18 Dec 2016

Mud Already Flying in 2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

By Rich Miller

“This will be the most expensive race of our lifetime,” a Republican friend assured me last week about the apparently-already-begun 2018 gubernatorial campaign.

If Democratic billionaire J.B. Pritzker pulls the trigger and decides to run, we can expect that significant campaign spending could begin as early as next month – on both sides. And if last week is any indication, this is gonna be one nasty contest.

11 Dec 2016

Poison and Promise Cloud Prospects for Legislative Progress

By Rich Miller

Top folks in the governor’s office said they didn’t quite understand last week why the Senate Democrats and the spokesperson for House Speaker Michael Madigan were so upset with them about canceling last Thursday’s leaders meeting to discuss ending the long Statehouse impasse and finishing up a budget.

04 Dec 2016

Chicago Public Schools Bill a Veto Looking for an Excuse

By Rich Miller

As Senate President John Cullerton sees it, Governor Bruce Rauner “needed an excuse” to veto a bill last week that would’ve given the Chicago Public Schools $215 million for its June 30 pension payment. And Cullerton believes he turned out to be that excuse.

20 Nov 2016

Democrats Wavering in Their Support for Madigan

By Rich Miller

On election night, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan started making his usual post-election calls to his Democratic members asking for their support for his re-election as speaker. But at least a couple said they’d like to sit down with him before providing a firm answer.

13 Nov 2016

Democratic Losses in Illinois a Bad Sign for Madigan, Party

By Rich Miller

There’s been a lot of spin from the Illinois House Democrats about how Tuesday’s losses were not that big a deal. Don’t believe it.

06 Nov 2016

Vile, Mysterious Mailer Caps Off Foul Campaign

By Rich Miller

The innocuous-looking mailer began arriving November 2.

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