The Madigan Rule

Better Government Association
  • 4.3 (21)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

“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.

Episodes

  1. 10/27/2021

    Patterns and Practices: 5

    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 interviews with former governor Jim Edgar, along with state Representative La Shawn Ford, former state Senator Heather Steans, as well as journalists Tony Arnold, Mick Dumke, Ray Long,  and Hanna Meisel all of whom covered Madigan. Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady is also a guest in the final episode. Also featured is BGA editor David Kidwell, who co-led reporting for a Chicago Tribune series “The Madigan Rules,” beginning in 2010. The name of the BGA podcast was inspired by the Tribune series title.

    26 min

  2. 10/20/2021

    What Comes Up…: 4

    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. Madigan’s political legacy featuring conversations with former Governors Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner, State Representative Kelly Cassidy (14th), Former State Representative Ken Dunkin (5th), State Representative La Shawn Ford (8th), State Representative Will Guzzardi (39th), Alaina Hampton, Dave McKinney, John Chase, Pat Brady, Ray Long and Amanda Vinicky.

    24 min

  3. TRAILER

    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. Madigan’s political legacy featuring conversations with former Governors Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner, State Representative Kelly Cassidy (14th), Former State Representative Ken Dunkin (5th), State Representative La Shawn Ford (8th), State Representative Will Guzzardi (39th), Alaina Hampton, Dave McKinney, John Chase, Pat Brady, Ray Long and Amanda Vinicky.

    1 min

  4. 10/13/2021

    Power Over Policy: 3

    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 infamous showdown with Governor Bruce Rauner. With special guests former Illnois Governor Bruce Rauner, Former State Senator Heather Steans (7th), Former State Representative Ken Dunkin (5th), State Representative Will Guzzardi (39th), John Tillman, Pat Brady and John Chase.

    23 min

  5. SEASON 1, EPISODE 3 TRAILER

    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 infamous showdown with Governor Bruce Rauner.

    1 min

  6. 10/06/2021

    Magic Mike: 2

    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 Vinicky, Ray Long, Rick Pearson and David McKinney, this episode explores how Madigan came to control the machinery of state government--and came to rule for half a century.

    22 min

  7. 10/06/2021

    Up From the Garbage Truck: 1

    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 Representative Kelly Cassidy (14th) and Former State Representative Ken Dunkin (5th), Alaina Hampton, Mick Dumke, David Kidwell, John Chase, Dave McKinney and Ray Long.

    24 min

  8. TRAILER

    The Madigan Rule Trailer

    “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.

    2 min

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

“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.

Information

  • Creator
    Better Government Association
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Madigan Rule
  • Show Website
    The Madigan Rule