The Madigan Rule

Oct 27 2021 46

The Madigan Rule Podcast artwork

“The Madigan Rule” is a BGA podcast that takes listeners inside the story of how Speaker Mike Madigan ran Illinois--for good and for ill. Hosted by Justin Kaufmann, a veteran radio host who covered Madigan, Kaufmann talks with people who witnessed Madigan’s exercise of power: governors, lawmakers, journalists and politicos. They feared him and revered him and had no choice but to reckon with his rules. It’s the Madigan Rule: a podcast about Illinois’ most powerful politician, featuring those who knew him well.

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Patterns and Practices: 5

Oct 27 2021 25 mins

One of the biggest public corruption investigations in Illinois history continues. Madigan says he did nothing wrong, but he is out of politics and his political machine destroyed. We dive into the investigation, the resignations and the end of the Madigan era. Has the game changed, or do Springfield’s new power players still follow the Madigan Rule? Featuring exclusive interview

What Comes Up…: 4

Oct 19 2021 23 mins

During five decades leading state government, Mike Madigan engineered stirring victories and suffered painful losses. From patronage to pensions, ethical conflicts to sexual harassment--and ultimately, a federal investigation that brought him down.In the fourth installment of the BGA’s limited series podcast “The Madigan Rule,” host Justin Kaufmann looks into Micheal J. Madig

What Comes Up... Trailer

During five decades leading state government, Mike Madigan engineered stirring victories and suffered painful losses. From patronage to pensions, ethical conflicts to sexual harassment--and ultimately, a federal investigation that brought him down.In the fourth installment of the BGA’s limited series podcast “The Madigan Rule,” host Justin Kaufmann looks into Micheal J. Madig

Power Over Policy: 3

Oct 12 2021 23 mins

How did Madigan survive so long in Illinois politics? How did busted budgets and a slurry of scandal leave him untouched? History’s longest-serving statehouse speaker, Madigan will be remembered less for the policies he enacted than for the power he extracted. In this episode of BGA’s “The Madigan Rule” host Justin Kaufmann explore Mike Madigan’s political acumen and the

Power Over Policy Trailer

How did Madigan survive so long in Illinois politics? How did busted budgets and a slurry of scandal leave him untouched? History’s longest-serving statehouse speaker, Madigan will be remembered less for the policies he enacted than for the power he extracted. In this episode of BGA’s “The Madigan Rule” host Justin Kaufmann explores Mike Madigan’s political acumen and the

Magic Mike: 2

Oct 05 2021 22 mins

If the 13th Ward on Chicago’s Southwest Side was Madigan’s political base, then Springfield was his political playground. In Springfield the machinery of state government grinds quietly, conveying wealth and power in equal measure. Featuring conversations with former governors Jim Edgar, Pat Quinn and George Ryan along with State Representative Will Guzzardi (39th), Amanda Vini

Up From the Garbage Truck: 1

Oct 05 2021 24 mins

To understand Michael J. Madigan, you have to understand where he came from. In the first episode host Justin Kaufmann explores the 13th Ward and the Chicago Machine with local journalists and politicos. They also discuss the self-styled rules Madigan followed in his climb from Chicago’s Southwest Side to the pinnacle of power in Springfield, Illinois.With special guests State Re

The Madigan Rule Trailer

Sep 20 2021 1 mins

“The Madigan Rule” is a BGA podcast that takes listeners inside the story of how Speaker Mike Madigan ran Illinois--for good and for ill. Hosted by Justin Kaufmann, a veteran radio host who covered Madigan, Kaufmann talks with people who witnessed Madigan’s exercise of power: governors, lawmakers, journalists and politicos. They feared him and revered him and had no choice bu