Impeachment memo riles Democrats

SPRINGFIELD -- Feuding among the state's top Democrats reached a fever pitch Wednesday in the wake of a political memo surfacing that advises Democratic candidates on how to discuss and make the case for impeaching their party's governor.

The 14-page memo was prepared by the Illinois Democratic Party, which is chaired by House Speaker Michael Madigan. Although Madigan served as a chairman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's re-election bid less than two years ago, he and the Democratic governor have become unyielding political rivals of late.

The impeachment memo is the latest blow in their high-stakes political conflict that last year resulted in a record-setting overtime session costing taxpayers upward of $1 million just to cover expenses.

Their quarrelling has also been blamed for derailing a nearly $34 billion statewide construction spending spree financed by more gambling and leasing out the state lottery.

Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat, suggested Wednesday that Madigan's defiance could cost Chicago the Olympics because key public transportation and other improvements rely on the construction spending.

"We may lose the Olympics," Jones told reporters.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said the memo paints Madigan as an obstructionist.

"The divisive and under-handed tactics exposed in Memogate only weaken public trust," Ottenhoff said. "Speaker Madigan owes it to families who are struggling through this economic slowdown to do everything possible to create jobs and stimulate the economy. He should join the governor and other three leaders in supporting a $34 billion statewide infrastructure and jobs plan."

Meanwhile, key suburban Democrats said Wednesday there are far better things for the party to be discussing, and at least one called it "inappropriate" for Madigan to make these moves as party chairman.

"If he's got issues with the governor as speaker, that's his issue. But as leader of the party, no, I don't think that's appropriate," said Kane County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Guethle, a member of the state party's influential central committee.

Guethle said Democrats should be getting a state construction-spending plan approved.

"I'll talk to you forever about that. That's my world," Guethle said. "No one's ever talked to me about (impeachment)."

Lauren Beth Gash, also a member of the state party's central committee, had not read the memo, but said Springfield needs to start sharing the national party's message of progress and reconciliation.

"Honestly, my personal preference at this point would be for legislative leaders and legislators to work on the issues that are most important to the people they represent," said Gash, a former Illinois House member from Highland Park.

"I think it's unfortunate that this is the type of thing we're discussing right now," she said, but quickly added regarding Madigan, "That doesn't make him wrong for doing it."

The extensive, though occasionally sloppy memo compares corruption in the Blagojevich administration to a tumor.

"One thing we learned from the (imprisoned former Republican Gov.) George Ryan case is that we should excise a tumor when it is first discovered; not leave it in the body to continue to spread and do further harm," read the memo, obtained and first reported by The Associated Press' state Capitol bureau.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown told the Associated Press the party sent the memo to a "bunch of candidates" who'd requested more information about impeachment. He said it's not Madigan's view that he be impeached, rather information for candidates interested in the issue.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said campaign staff prepared the memo and "it is what it is."

He took issue with the criticism directed toward Madigan. Regarding Jones comments about going after a fellow Democrat, Brown said, "Whether Jones thinks we're going to follow this guy (Blagojevich) over the cliff ... I don't know. But most Democrats aren't going to do that." Although Democrats are spending significant effort battling themselves, Republicans entered the fray Wednesday. House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego said the memo sets up a scheme to deceive the public and media.

While prepared at Madigan's behest, the talking points section of the memo suggests candidates deny Madigan had anything to do with the impeachment discussion.

Cross called the memo a "political exercise" designed to divert attention away from other issues, most notably the lack of a construction program.