SEGMENT: POLITICS
Charles Hartke>LPL Interviews A-M>LPL Interviews A-J, Segment 10
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- POLITICS
- Lists friends in legislature. Big Four and the Governor make final decisions for funding in Illinois. Mike Madigan was and is the Speaker of the House. Lists his attributes. Emil Jones is President of the Senate. Third is Frank Watson, Minority leader in Senate. Fourth one is Majority leader in the House. They decide with governor on major issues. Influential politicians are Mike Madigan first; Mayor of Chicago second; Lisa Madigan is the third most powerful. Ranks others. Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Hartke helped with Lang's campaign for governor. He was going to resign from the legislature. Rod Blagojevich also asked for his support - said no. Asked for second choice, said okay, and wanted the Department of Agriculture; Blagojevich said okay. Later campaigned and advised Blagojevich. Was surprised to hear Blagojevich was running for governor.
