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The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois' Velvet Hammer
Michael Madigan rose from the Chicago machine to hold unprecedented power as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. In his thirty-six years wielding the gavel, Madigan outlasted governors, passed or blocked legislation at will, and outmaneuvered virtually every attempt to limit his reach. Veteran reporter Ray Long draws on four decades of observing state government to provide the definitive political analysis of Michael Madigan. Secretive, intimidating, shrewd, power-hungry--Madigan mesmerized his admirers and often left his opponents too beaten down to oppose him. Long vividly recreates the battles that defined the Madigan era, from stunning James Thompson with a lightning-strike tax increase, to pressing for a pension overhaul that ultimately failed in the courts, to steering the House toward the Rod Blagojevich impeachment. Long also shines a light on the machinery that kept the Speaker in power. Head of a patronage army, Madigan ruthlessly used his influence and fundraising prowess to reward loyalists and aid his daughter’s electoral fortunes. At the same time, he reshaped bills to guarantee he and his Democratic troops shared in the partisan spoils of his legislative victories. Yet Madigan’s position as the state’s seemingly invulnerable power broker could not survive scandals among his close associates and the widespread belief that his time as Speaker had finally reached its end. Unsparing and authoritative, The House That Madigan Built is the page-turning account of one the most powerful politicians in Illinois history.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
312 pages, Hardcover
Published March 22, 2022
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81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 5, 2022
This book has few insights into Madigan's political operation or strategic thinking you couldn't get with a subscription to the Trib or Sun-Times. I was hoping for more than just a narrative anthology of press clippings.
January 21, 2023
Long, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, reminds us of what old-fashioned journalism is all about. As an investigative reporter, he has been covering Mike Madigan for decades. This book gives us a fair but tough look at the man who was Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for 36 out of 38 years (the longest serving leader of a legislative body in the history of the United States.) He was speaker from 1983-1995 and 1997-2021.
Madigan is currently facing federal charges for racketeering. Long’s book is a helpful primer as we watch the news to see how his case unfolds in the next couple years.
The book covers Madigan’s entrance into politics, he rise to the Speaker position, his effectiveness as a Chicago-style politician, and his fund-raising success. Chapters include relationships he had with various Illinois governors, two of whom went to prison. They also include insight into his daughter’s time as Illinois Attorney General. The last part of the book covers the unraveling of Madigan’s power as the #MeToo movement exposed ways he covered for a number of his aids and the pay-to-play deals he made under the table for decades, including a major bribery scheme with CommEd (the giant utility company serving Chicago.)
Long is fair and specific in this book, and even though Madigan has been a secretive and tight-lipped operator for years, we get interesting glimpses into both his corruption and his political skill. This is a great read for those who have been somewhat paying attention to Illinois politics, and especially to those of us who have lived through the stories recounted here.
Madigan is currently facing federal charges for racketeering. Long’s book is a helpful primer as we watch the news to see how his case unfolds in the next couple years.
The book covers Madigan’s entrance into politics, he rise to the Speaker position, his effectiveness as a Chicago-style politician, and his fund-raising success. Chapters include relationships he had with various Illinois governors, two of whom went to prison. They also include insight into his daughter’s time as Illinois Attorney General. The last part of the book covers the unraveling of Madigan’s power as the #MeToo movement exposed ways he covered for a number of his aids and the pay-to-play deals he made under the table for decades, including a major bribery scheme with CommEd (the giant utility company serving Chicago.)
Long is fair and specific in this book, and even though Madigan has been a secretive and tight-lipped operator for years, we get interesting glimpses into both his corruption and his political skill. This is a great read for those who have been somewhat paying attention to Illinois politics, and especially to those of us who have lived through the stories recounted here.
December 28, 2023
I read this with interest, knowing the author to be an excellent career reporter. What rises to the top for me is that this book was written less for the curious and more for the policy wonks who made the sausage over the last forty years as well as those who tried to keep tabs on how it was made. I found it to be even-handed with a begrudging respect for the longest-serving speaker in the country.
January 20, 2025
Wanted to know more about his relationship with Daley and get some pre-House biographical details that might have showcased his political instincts prior to his speakership and some insight into the ward-style politics it compares his politics to later in the book. Also wanted to know more about the constitutional convention. Also the structure was kind of wonky where the author tried to leave each chapter as a distinct period in time, but there were some details left out seemingly to have a more dramatic reveal later (I'm talking specifically about the settlement with the victim of sexual harassment not being discussed until a chapter or two later).
Most glaring was how surface-level everything felt. I didn't get the impression this author had any more access than any other reporter on the political beat, and while the research was decent the information felt secondhand. Skimming the sources I see a lot of newspaper articles, many of them penned by the author, and transcripts from the floor, but I don't see much additional research. No effort to interview the relevant players to get some extra insight? Not even a mention that you tried and nobody was available for comment?
So I vacillate between being grateful that these stories are consolidated in one place that'll serve as a quick reference in Illinois legislative history over the past 30 years and being suspicious of this being the author cashing in on his career by pasting together some stories from him and his buddies. Overall I land on this being pretty good and worth the read but am waiting for there to be a better book post conviction / acquittal.
Most glaring was how surface-level everything felt. I didn't get the impression this author had any more access than any other reporter on the political beat, and while the research was decent the information felt secondhand. Skimming the sources I see a lot of newspaper articles, many of them penned by the author, and transcripts from the floor, but I don't see much additional research. No effort to interview the relevant players to get some extra insight? Not even a mention that you tried and nobody was available for comment?
So I vacillate between being grateful that these stories are consolidated in one place that'll serve as a quick reference in Illinois legislative history over the past 30 years and being suspicious of this being the author cashing in on his career by pasting together some stories from him and his buddies. Overall I land on this being pretty good and worth the read but am waiting for there to be a better book post conviction / acquittal.
February 27, 2023
If you're from outside Illinois and want a look at this history-making legislative leader or how Illinois politics works (or doesn't), this book will help. If you've followed Illinois politics for many years, I'm not sure whether you'll learn anything new.
Michael Madigan was the dominant figure in Illinois politics throughout my childhood (and for almost a half-century). I used to think: someday, when he is gone, there will be an incredible book to be written on what happened behind the scenes, informed by people who were then unable to talk. That's not this book.
Why did Mike Madigan go into politics? Did he consider other careers? Why the legislature and not city council? Why wasn't he interested in Congress or higher office? How did he become Democratic party leader in the Illinois legislature? How did that control extend over the state Democratic party? What was his marriage like, with decades of commuting to Springfield? What motivated the guy, at the end of the day? You will not find those answers here. One of the most interesting chapters, how the White Sox were kept in Illinois, gives little detail on how Madigan saved the day (it seems Governor Thompson was the real hero of the hour).
The book excels at explaining how the patronage system worked: you knock doors, you get a job, you continue proving your worth, you get promoted. It also detailed how Madigan's fundraising kept his caucus in power (and in line). But the type of person likely to be interested in this book will find these explanations familiar.
Michael Madigan was the dominant figure in Illinois politics throughout my childhood (and for almost a half-century). I used to think: someday, when he is gone, there will be an incredible book to be written on what happened behind the scenes, informed by people who were then unable to talk. That's not this book.
Why did Mike Madigan go into politics? Did he consider other careers? Why the legislature and not city council? Why wasn't he interested in Congress or higher office? How did he become Democratic party leader in the Illinois legislature? How did that control extend over the state Democratic party? What was his marriage like, with decades of commuting to Springfield? What motivated the guy, at the end of the day? You will not find those answers here. One of the most interesting chapters, how the White Sox were kept in Illinois, gives little detail on how Madigan saved the day (it seems Governor Thompson was the real hero of the hour).
The book excels at explaining how the patronage system worked: you knock doors, you get a job, you continue proving your worth, you get promoted. It also detailed how Madigan's fundraising kept his caucus in power (and in line). But the type of person likely to be interested in this book will find these explanations familiar.
June 27, 2024
Discussion about a new stadium for the Chicago White Sox and speculation that the team could move if Illinois taxpayers don’t cough up some cash is not new. If you’re interested in learning how the deal for the current stadium went down, I highly recommend this book by Ray Long. It is incredibly relevant to today’s discussion about Sox park.
While it looks like a book about a powerful man, his impact and his downfall, it is also a series of intensive case studies about the art of political dealmaking.
The story about the Sox stadium deal is just one of many that remains highly relevant, particularly as we watch Illinois weigh big issues related to the Bears, Madigan’s ongoing case, and more.
I’m so glad Ray wrote this!
While it looks like a book about a powerful man, his impact and his downfall, it is also a series of intensive case studies about the art of political dealmaking.
The story about the Sox stadium deal is just one of many that remains highly relevant, particularly as we watch Illinois weigh big issues related to the Bears, Madigan’s ongoing case, and more.
I’m so glad Ray wrote this!
July 23, 2024
Ray Long really shows his multi-decade journalistic chops in this book. It’s incredibly easy to read despite the fact that it’s chock full of facts, anecdotes, quotes, and legal and political strategic maneuverings. What a time to read this book as the DNC is back in Chicago and there is, essentially, an open convention. Although it’s looking like The Party is coalescing behind VP Harris, it’s not hard to believe or prophesy that - yet again - many deals will be cut and agreements reached behind the closed door of Chicago hotels. Oooh, how true rings the old saw - “history doesn’t repeat itself, it often rhymes.” Well, Twain, I find myself leaning more towards Faulkner’s adage - “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” At least that’s the way it seems in politics in Chicago.
May 22, 2022
3.75, rounded up to 4 for Goodreads.
Overall, this was a solid book about Michael Madigan's record tenure as the longest running Speaker of the State House of any state in the U.S. As a resident of Illinois, reading this book was really helpful in understanding the politics of this state and seeing how Madigan's legacy still shapes the state to this day. My main complaint is this book is a bit too hagiographic at times, it leans into the "brilliance" and spectacle of Madigan's career a little too much for my taste. Still, a valuable book about probably the most important politician in Illinois politics in the last 40 years!
Overall, this was a solid book about Michael Madigan's record tenure as the longest running Speaker of the State House of any state in the U.S. As a resident of Illinois, reading this book was really helpful in understanding the politics of this state and seeing how Madigan's legacy still shapes the state to this day. My main complaint is this book is a bit too hagiographic at times, it leans into the "brilliance" and spectacle of Madigan's career a little too much for my taste. Still, a valuable book about probably the most important politician in Illinois politics in the last 40 years!
November 12, 2022
Ray is a brilliant colleague of mine and I feel really lucky to learn from him every day! No one has covered Mike Madigan as closely as Ray for the last 4 decades. Ray here pours a lifetime of understanding into a smart dive into the king of Illinois’ Democratic machine. Expect some fun stories along with an exhaustive and unparalleled tracking of the Velvet Hammer’s career.
October 3, 2023
Ray Long does a great job explaining the career of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. While I remember most of the events, I don't remember or didn't know many of the details that Ray explains.
July 22, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed the book. As an Illinois native, I am familiar with the infamous Michael J. Madigan so I was immediately drawn to this book when Ray Long, a reporter I’ve long followed and respected, announced the debut. Long offers an honest and fair (and at times harsh - but alway truthful) portrayal of Madigan’s record run as Speaker. My biggest issue with this book is that I am not a fan of nonlinear stories; however, I completely understand why Long made that choice, as paragraphs and chapters focused on certain characteristics, people and storylines. Additionally, I am intimately familiar with Illinois politics, but readers who are not may need additional context for some of the stories.
I would recommend this book to a friend who is interested in politics, and I would strongly recommend to a friend interested in Illinois politics.
I would recommend this book to a friend who is interested in politics, and I would strongly recommend to a friend interested in Illinois politics.
July 9, 2022
A good recounting of the Madigan legacy. The book seems more than fair to Madigan at the expense of failing to report the impact on the people of Illinois.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews