Pubdate: Mon, 14 Nov 2005
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2005 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact:  http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Jim Ritter, Staff Reporter

MADIGAN KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN, BUT AGAINST WHOM?

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan kicked off her re-election 
campaign Sunday with $1 million in the bank and no primary challengers.

The North Side Democrat also is emerging from the shadow of her 
father, House Speaker Michael Madigan. It was the elder Madigan's 
clout that helped his relatively unknown daughter win 2002 primary 
and general election contests against more experienced opponents.

Lisa Madigan, 39, might not need her dad so much this time around, 
because now she has a record upon which she can run.

She said her accomplishments include promoting new laws that help 
protect consumers against identity theft, require lifetime 
supervision of sex offenders and restrict sales of over-the-counter 
drugs used to make methamphetamine.

Madigan also has opposed utility rate hikes, sued a tobacco company 
for allegedly marketing to African-American children and opposed 
efforts to locate the Emerald Casino in Rosemont.

Famous Dad Was Baby-Sitting

About 200 supporters attended Madigan's re-election announcement 
Sunday at the Chicago Hilton. They munched on chocolate chip cookies, 
waved blue placards and chanted "Lisa, Lisa" and "Four more years."

The crowd included Democratic aldermen, committeemen, legislators and 
county officials. But Michael Madigan was conspicuously absent. The 
attorney general said her dad was busy baby-sitting her 10-month-old 
daughter, Rebecca.

Lisa Madigan appears to have no opposition in the March 21 Democratic 
primary. Among possible Republican opponents in the general election 
is Tazewell County State's Attorney Stu Umholtz.

Madigan's 2002 Republican opponent, DuPage County State's Attorney 
Joe Birkett, said last week he is considering running for either 
attorney general, lieutenant governor or governor.

GOP Questions Her Objectivity

Madigan is running on a ticket likely to be headed by Gov. 
Blagojevich, who is expected to seek re-election. The Blagojevich 
administration is under federal investigation for its hiring 
practices, while Madigan is investigating allegations the 
administration has traded appointments for campaign contributions.

Republicans will make public corruption their main issue in the 
attorney general's campaign, said state GOP Chairman Andy McKenna.

"One could have questions about the objectivity of a prosecutor if 
the prosecutor is running on the same ticket as the person they're 
investigating," McKenna said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman