Mike Madigan: The Man Who Controls Illinois State Politics

Crain's Chicago Business reports:

His rivals are gone, his coffers flush, his power at a peak.

But the land he rules is in trouble, and leading it out may require him to take the kind of political risks he has spent decades avoiding.

That's the conundrum for Michael Madigan, the most powerful person in Illinois government — whose career, like his state, is at a critical point.

The 24-year speaker of the Illinois House — the longest-tenured legislative leader in all 50 states — is near unassailable. A youngish 67, he's outlasted not only bitter rival Rod Blagojevich but every other senior state leader. He's used his twin posts as speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party to build an unmatched fundraising machine, elect lawmakers, housebreak governors, promote the career of his daughter and dominate the legislative agenda. Respected and feared, he is the king of Springfield.

A rather important Chicago Machine Democrat. It appears that Mike Madigan isn't a fan of Chicago Mob linked Obama side kick Alexi Giannoulias.