Democratic suburban state legislators felt the heat this winter from constituents over their support of Chicago's Michael J. Madigan for Illinois House Speaker.
But not Des Plaines' Marty Moylan. The former mayor turned State Representative for Illinois 55th House District was seen leading a cheer — literally — for Madigan outside the University of Illinois-Springfield, where Democrats had just re-elected Madigan as their leader for a 17th term.
"One, two, three," Moylan yelled, amidst a gathered crowd of mostly pro-Madigan activists who had descended upon the Capitol. "Who do we like?"
Bring it on: Des Plaines legislator Marty Moylan leads a cheer for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who represents Chicago.
"Mike!" the crowd responded.
"Yeah baby!" said Moylan.
Moylan also led an anti-Bruce Rauner cheer.
"Rauner!" said Moylan.
"Sucks!" the crowd responded.
"Yeah baby!" said Moylan.
Moylan and 65 fellow Democrats voted for Madigan, who will break the U.S. record for tenure as a House Speaker if he serves his complete term. He was first elected to the Illinois House in 1971, serving as an emissary for the Chicago Democratic Machine and its then-leader, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.
Madigan has bankrolled Moylan's three campaigns for state representative, in 2012 when he was first elected, 2014 and 2016.
The 55th district covers Des Plaines, Park Ridge and parts of Elk Grove Village.
"The district... leans Republican," wrote veteran northwest suburban political analyst Russ Stewart. "However, with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan pulling the strings and directing the cash, Moylan spent nearly $1 million in each campaign."
"Moylan understands his role and follows the script," Stewart wrote. "Madigan got him to Springfield and has kept him there, and he expects Moylan to vote as he's told and to campaign ceaselessly."
Stewart described what he called the "Madigan Method" employed by Moylan's campaigns in which the candidate knocks on every voter's door but "is noncommittal on every issue, speaks platitudes and, only if necessary, touts any bill sponsorships or antiseptic votes."
"Property taxes are soaring. House Bill 318 mandated a statewide property tax freeze," Stewart wrote. "Madigan never called the bill for a vote, as it would have been catastrophic for (Chicago) Mayor Rahm Emanuel's budget and injurious to Madigan's tax appeal law practice."
"Nobody asks Moylan, 'Why didn't you exert some leadership and make Madigan pass that bill?' They just remember that the genial and smiling Moylan was at their door. He's a real nice guy, they think, and then they vote for him, keeping Madigan in power."
The median home sale price in 2015 in Des Plaines was $200,000 and the effective property tax rate 2.36 percent, or $4,720 per year.
Park Ridge's median home sale price was $380,000 and its tax rate 2.14 percent, or $8,119 per year.
In Elk Grove Village, it was $215,000 and 2.26 percent, or $4,845 per year.
According to Trulia.com, in comparison, a home currently for sale in Valparaiso, Indiana for $305,000 has property taxes of $2,880, or a rate of 0.94 percent.
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