“He’s been called the ‘King of Illinois’ and is considered more powerful than the governor,” begins the documentary about longtime
Speaker of the House Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), now available for viewing online.
Widely viewed as the most powerful politician in Illinois history, Madigan is currently the longest-serving state House speaker in the U.S. The recently released documentary about his rise to power — titled
“Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics” — is now available for viewing online, in theaters and for Comcast cable subscribers through XFINITY On Demand until Nov. 15.
“He is … arguably one of the most powerful politicians that we’ve seen in our
lifetime,” said Republican and former Illinois Speaker of the House Lee Daniels,
of Elmhurst, in the film.
However, many constituents have remained unaware of his
clout, perhaps because the speaker chooses to take a “measured approach toward
the media,” declining interviews and staying under the radar with regard to
public appearances.
Former Illinois Republican state Sen. Steve
Rauschenberger of Elgin even offered up a selection of nicknames in the film, including
Iron Mike, The Tyrant, Little Napoleon and the Velvet Hammer.
Produced by Illinois Policy Action, a branch of the Illinois
Policy Institute, the nearly-hour-long documentary includes news clips and
exclusive interviews with Democrats, Republicans and political insiders interspersed with supporting graphics and other material.
Illinois Policy Action writer Austin Berg said the project did spark some
controversy, with local film production houses rejecting the project, allegedly fearing retribution. The group had to go out of state, teaming up with Emergent Order of Austin, Texas.
“At Illinois Policy Institute … people’s No. 1 questions would be, ‘What
are we going to do about Mike Madigan?’ … ‘How has he stayed in power so
long?’” Berg said. “So this documentary … answers some important questions
people have had for a long time in Illinois.”
“Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics” can be viewed online at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgVP3H122nw&feature=youtu.be&ct=t(Madigan)&goal=0_f3fc33056a-d2d8e03a3e-15353553.
A schedule of theater showings of the film is available at www.michaelmadigan.com.
Initially reported by the Sangamon Sun.
