Madigan gets another term as Illinois Democratic chairman despite sexual harassment complaints on

[TexasTowelie]

Madigan gets another term as Illinois Democratic chairman despite sexual harassment complaints on his watch

House Speaker Michael Madigan was easily re-elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois on Monday, publicly reasserting his control over a vast political operation after a tumultuous few months in which some within his own party had called for his resignation.

As members of the party’s central committee lauded Madigan for his ability to win elections and push back against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s policies, they also nodded to challenges within. That includes allegations of sexual harassment and abusive behavior that felled two of Madigan’s top campaign operatives, prompting calls for the speaker to step down as party chairman amid questions about how complaints were handled.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson said she was surprised when Madigan asked if she would be among those who nominated him for the chairmanship at an afternoon meeting at a Springfield hotel. But Kelly said she was committed to doing all she could to ensure Democrats win in November, saying her time in Washington has proved the importance of being in the majority.

“So I would like to second your nomination, but I will say in seconding your nomination it’s not a secret that change needs to happen, and we need to be more transparent as an organization,” Kelly said. “We need to be more inclusive as an organization, and we need to make sure that we are respecting every man and woman that has anything to do with this organization, in and out.”

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-michael-madigan-democratic-party-election-20180423-story.html

[murielm99]

1. K&R

We still need him and his disciplined approach to party organization. I wish all states had such leadership. I see it in Nancy Pelosi, in the House, too.

I was a bit concerned that the repiggies in this state were going to try to use the Me Too movement against Madigan in the way they did Al Franken. I think Madigan handled the complaints well, despite the reporting about it. Remember, the Chicago Tribune is a very republican newspaper.

[blue-wave]

2. I agree 110% Muriel

We in Illinois are very lucky to have a strong leader like Mike Madigan. If every other state had the same, the republicans would be toast. And I rarely glance at the Tribune. It's right wing propaganda is too much to take.

[murielm99]

3. A lot of the Rauner propaganda

has left a mark on Madigan. Before Rauner, Madigan's name was not a household word. We Democrats who are activists know about him, but he delegates well and does his work behind the scenes. He is truly powerful.

Rauner did everything he could to blacken Madigan's name. And I have noticed that a lot of the newer activists have bought into the right wing propaganda. They think Madigan is a bad guy who needs to resign. Most of them don't know much about politics. And it did not help that Biss was badmouthing Madigan when he ran in the governor's primary. I did not like Biss at all. We had two very rich guys, Pritzker and Kennedy, running in the primary. Yet I found Biss to be the phony, limousine liberal type.

What I would like to know is what Lisa Madigan is up to. Why did she choose not to run again?