Latest news with #IllinoisDemocraticParty
Chicago Tribune
02-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Gov. JB Pritzker's running mate is a fellow Chicagoan, but says he will ‘represent all of Illinois'
During an appearance at a Bronzeville restaurant on Wednesday with his new running mate, Gov. JB Pritzker dismissed any suggestion that he was ignoring other areas of the state when he chose a fellow Chicagoan for his 2026 reelection bid. The governor a day earlier announced he had selected Christian Mitchell, a former state representative for parts of the South Side and a former deputy governor, to run as lieutenant governor, and their visit to Peach's restaurant on 47th Street was their first public joint appearance. 'When you're a state rep, you don't just represent the people in your district. You are also are voting on things that are good for people all across the state,' Pritzker said, standing next to Mitchell by a case of sweet drinks and cake in the crowded restaurant. 'We have passed bills that have been highly beneficial to job creation, expansion of health care, funding of education for people who live in — whether it's Anna, Carbondale or Quincy or Champaign.' Pritzker's partner in his first two terms, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, is running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, which left the position open. Stratton and Mitchell are both Black and live on the South Side, bringing a different perspective to the ticket than the governor. The Chicago versus downstate dynamic in has been an source of friction in state politics for years, and Pritzker's choice figures to play into that issue going forward. For his part, Mitchell, 38, said he is ready to meet people from all over Illinois. 'In a tavern, at a bar, at a coffee shop, I'm willing to go anywhere, because my goal is to represent all of Illinois,' he said, after he and Pritzker spent about a half hour greeting a crowd of supporters and early lunch customers at Peach's, whose website features a photo of former President Barack Obama at the restaurant's counter. Mitchell's agenda as a legislator meshed closely with Pritzker's initiatives during the governor's two terms. Mitchell was among a group of legislators who called for a task force to study the possible legalization of recreational marijuana, and he introduced a proposal to eliminate cash bail — both ideas that eventually became reality after Pritzker became governor. During the 2018 election cycle, Mitchell also served as executive director of the Illinois Democratic Party, becoming the first African American to hold the position. He was a deputy governor in the Pritzker administration from 2019 to 2023 and a lead strategist on energy issues, including the landmark 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Since 2023, he's overseen government relations and other offices at the University of Chicago, his alma mater. Pritzker has repeatedly said the next lieutenant governor will have to fill the legacy being left by Stratton. Stratton raised more than $1 million in her first quarter as a Senate candidate, according to her campaign, trailing fellow Democratic candidate and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, whose campaign reported it raised more than $3.1 million. Krishnamoorthi, one of the top fundraisers in the House, ended the quarter with $21 million on hand, according to his campaign. Stratton has only had a few months to build up her operation, Pritzker noted when asked about the fundraising numbers Wednesday. The extent to which Pritzker, a billionaire who spent $350 million on his first two campaigns for governor, ends up supporting Stratton financially remains to be seen. 'You have to remember that Juliana has not had to raise money as lieutenant governor for me, and so she's going against people who have raised money for the last number of years,' Pritzker, who quickly endorsed Stratton this spring, said. 'She doesn't need to have as much as anyone else in the race. She is somebody that people all across the state know and admire.'
Axios
01-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Pritzker announces Christian Mitchell as running mate
Gov. JB Pritzker has picked former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell as his running mate. Why it matters: If Pritzker is reelected, Mitchell could be in line to take over if Pritzker runs for president in 2028. State of play: Mitchell replaces current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on the ticket, since Stratton is running for U.S. Senate. The big picture: Mitchell served as a deputy governor for Pritzker from 2019-2023, working on the state's capital plan and other big initiatives during Pritzker's first term. Before that, Mitchell was a state representative for the 26th district for six years, which included the lakefront and Hyde Park. He's currently the vice president of civic engagement at the University of Chicago. What they're saying:"Christian Mitchell is a proven leader with deep experience, steady judgment, and an unshakable commitment to the working families of Illinois," Pritzker said in a press release. "I couldn't ask for a better partner to continue delivering results for the people of Illinois." "The governor has led with courage and compassion, and together we've built a foundation that's moving Illinois forward," Mitchell said in a statement. Zoom in: While he was deputy governor — an appointed position inside the governor's administration — he helped push the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act across the finish line, which has become a signature piece of legislation for Pritzker and has catapulted Illinois to one of the leading states in clean energy. He is also credited with shepherding Pritzker's capital plan, plus taking a lead role in the state's medical supply chain during COVID-19. Mitchell was also integral in passing Illinois' legal recreational cannabis law in 2019, which focused on social equity. Yes, but: The program stumbled out of the gate with court challenges and financial hurdles. The intrigue: Mitchell was also the first Black executive director of the Illinois Democratic Party, under convicted politician Michael Madigan, although he wasn't Madigan's first choice. His history at the top of the party could help unify Democrats on the campaign trail.
Arab Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Longest-serving legislative leader in US history given 7 1/2 years in federal corruption case
SPRINGFIELD, Ill, June 14, (AP): The stunning downward spiral of Michael Madigan's political career ended Friday with a 7 1/2-year prison sentence and a $2.5 million fine for the former Illinois House speaker and the longest-serving legislative leader in US history after he was convicted of trading legislation for the enrichment of his friends and allies. US District Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced the 83-year-old in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Nicknamed the "Velvet Hammer' for his quiet but hard-nosed style, Madigan was convicted in February on 10 of 23 counts in a remarkable corruption trial that lasted four months. The case churned through 60 witnesses and mountains of documents, photographs and taped conversations. Federal prosecutors sought a 12 1/2-year prison term. Madigan's attorneys wanted five years' probation, saying he is a good man who tried to do right by taxpayers and needs to be home to care for his ailing wife, Shirley, who submitted a videotaped statement to the court requesting her husband be able to come home. But Blakey noted that federal sentencing guidelines allowed for a term of 105 years based on findings in evidence - notably that Madigan committed perjury when he took the stand in his own defense. Blakey was particularly piqued over what he called "a nauseating display of perjury and evasion.' "You lied. You did not have to. You had a right to sit there and exercise your right to silence,' Blakey said. "But you took the stand and you took the law into your own hands.' During a legislative career spanning half a century, Madigan served nearly four decades as speaker, the longest on record for a US legislator. Combined with more than 20 years as chairperson of the Illinois Democratic Party, he set much of the state's political agenda while handpicking candidates for political office. More often than not, he also controlled political mapmaking, drawing lines to favor his party. Meanwhile, prosecutors said, the Chicago Democrat built a private legal career that allowed him to amass a net worth of $40 million. Madigan was convicted on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges for ensuring approval of legislation favorable to utility giant ComEd in exchange for kickbacks and jobs and contracts for loyalists, including a Chicago alderman seeking a paid job on a state board after retiring from government. The jury deadlocked on six counts, including an overarching racketeering conspiracy charge, and acquitted him on seven others.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
The longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history will be sentenced on corruption charges
Illinois' former Speaker of the House Michael Madigan speaks during a committee hearing Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Michael Madigan's stunning political collapse will culminate Friday when the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history is sentenced on federal bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud convictions tied to a scheme to push legislation in exchange for jobs and contracts for his associates. The former Illinois House speaker was convicted in February on 10 of 23 counts in a remarkable corruption trial that lasted four months. The case churned through 60 witnesses and mountains of documents, photographs and taped conversations. Madigan was in court Friday afternoon before U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey, who will determine his sentence. Federal prosecutors are seeking a 12 1/2-year prison term. Madigan's attorneys are seeking probation, contending the government's sentence would 'condemn an 83-year-old man to die behind bars for crimes that enriched him not one penny.' During a legislative career that spanned a half-century, Madigan served nearly four decades as speaker, the longest on record for a U.S. legislator. Combined with more than 20 years as chairperson of the Illinois Democratic Party, he set much of the state's political agenda while handpicking candidates for political office. More often than not, he also controlled political mapmaking, drawing lines to favor his party. Meanwhile, prosecutors said, the Chicago Democrat built a private legal career that allowed him to amass a net worth of US$40 million. Madigan was convicted on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges for ensuring approval of legislation favorable to utility giant ComEd in exchange for kickbacks and jobs and contracts for loyalists, including a Chicago alderman seeking a paid job on a state board after retiring from government. The jury deadlocked on six counts, including an overarching racketeering conspiracy charge, and acquitted him on seven others. 'Madigan's criminal activity spanned nearly a decade and was particularly egregious because it involved efforts to enrich himself — both by maintaining his political power by securing do-nothing jobs for his political allies and by attempting to line his own pockets with legal business,' prosecutors wrote in a court filing. 'In so doing, Madigan served his own personal interests and not the interests of Illinoisans.' Defence lawyers called the government's recommended sentence 'draconian' and, given Madigan's age, a life sentence. They asked Blakey to consider the totality of Madigan's life and work and the need to care for his wife in requesting a sentence of five years' probation, with one year of home confinement, a requirement to perform community service and a 'reasonable fine.' In a video submitted to the court, Madigan's wife, Shirley, asks for a sentence of probation, explaining that Madigan is her caregiver and she would have to seek outside help if he is imprisoned. And, she says, 'I'm a part of him.' 'There's some days I keep him going,' Shirley Madigan says on the video. 'He keeps me going sometimes, too, but I think that the impact that I have on him has been much, much larger.' The court received more than 200 letters of support for Madigan, many from constituents, friends, leaders of nonprofits and other organizations that interact with the state. Some noted asking him for help just once. Most lauded him for dedication, integrity or a personal touch. 'Mike Madigan is a good man who has selflessly done an exceptional amount of good for others,' his lawyers wrote in a separate filing. 'He is widely respected for his dedication to honesty and integrity.' Tried alongside Madigan was his former legislative colleague and longtime confidant, Michael McClain. The jury couldn't reach a decision on any of the six counts against McClain. He was convicted, though, in a separate trial over the ComEd conspiracy last year. Article by John O'connor.
13-06-2025
- Politics
The longest-serving legislative leader in US history will be sentenced on corruption charges
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Michael Madigan's stunning political collapse is expected to culminate Friday when the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history is sentenced on federal bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud convictions tied to a scheme to push legislation in exchange for jobs and contracts for his associates. The former Illinois House speaker was convicted in February on 10 of 23 counts in a remarkable corruption trial that lasted four months. The case churned through 60 witnesses and mountains of documents, photographs and taped conversations. Madigan will appear in U.S. District Court Friday in Chicago, where Judge John Robert Blakey will determine his sentence. Federal prosecutors are seeking a 12 1/2-year prison term. Madigan's attorneys are seeking probation, contending the government's sentence would 'condemn an 83-year-old man to die behind bars for crimes that enriched him not one penny.' During a legislative career that spanned a half-century, Madigan served nearly four decades as speaker, the longest on record for a U.S. legislator. Combined with more than 20 years as chairperson of the Illinois Democratic Party, he set much of the state's political agenda while handpicking candidates for political office. More often than not, he also controlled political mapmaking, drawing lines to favor his party. Meanwhile, prosecutors said, the Chicago Democrat built a private legal career that allowed him to amass a net worth of $40 million. Madigan was convicted on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges for ensuring approval of legislation favorable to utility giant ComEd in exchange for kickbacks and jobs and contracts for loyalists, including a Chicago alderman seeking a paid job on a state board after retiring from government. The jury deadlocked on six counts, including an overarching racketeering conspiracy charge, and acquitted him on seven others. 'Madigan's criminal activity spanned nearly a decade and was particularly egregious because it involved efforts to enrich himself — both by maintaining his political power by securing do-nothing jobs for his political allies and by attempting to line his own pockets with legal business,' prosecutors wrote in a court filing. 'In so doing, Madigan served his own personal interests and not the interests of Illinoisans.' Defense lawyers called the government's recommended sentence 'draconian' and, given Madigan's age, a life sentence. They asked Blakey to consider the totality of Madigan's life and work and the need to care for his wife in requesting a sentence of five years' probation, with one year of home confinement, a requirement to perform community service and a 'reasonable fine.' In a video submitted to the court, Madigan's wife, Shirley, asks for a sentence of probation, explaining that Madigan is her caregiver and she would have to seek outside help if he is imprisoned. And, she says, 'I'm a part of him.' 'There's some days I keep him going,' Shirley Madigan says on the video. 'He keeps me going sometimes, too, but I think that the impact that I have on him has been much, much larger.' The court received more than 200 letters of support for Madigan, many from constituents, friends, leaders of nonprofits and other organizations that interact with the state. Some noted asking him for help just once. Most lauded him for dedication, integrity or a personal touch. 'Mike Madigan is a good man who has selflessly done an exceptional amount of good for others,' his lawyers wrote in a separate filing. 'He is widely respected for his dedication to honesty and integrity.' Tried alongside Madigan was his former legislative colleague and longtime confidant, Michael McClain. The jury couldn't reach a decision on any of the six counts against McClain. He was convicted, though, in a separate trial over the ComEd conspiracy last year.
