Six Years Out of Office, Lisa Madigan Appears at DNC
Former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan speaks at the Democratic National Convention Thursday. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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When the Democratic National Convention released its list of speakers for Thursday night’s DNC program, Illinois reporters immediately took notice of a name that seemed to come out of nowhere: former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Madigan, the daughter of indicted House Speaker Michael Madigan, was elected Attorney General in 2002 and served until 2019, choosing not to seek re-election in 2018. She very publicly flirted with runs for Governor in 2010 and 2014, but was boxed in by her powerful father’s control over her party and low public approval numbers.
Since leaving office, she has kept a low profile and works as a partner at Chicago law firm Kirkland & Ellis.
During her surprise appearance at the DNC, Madigan reflected on the six years the two overlapped as attorneys general, discussing Harris’ work on housing issues.
“I worked with Kamala Harris during the Great Recession to protect homeowners from foreclosure,” Madigan said. “As attorney general of California, Kamala met thousands of people on the verge of losing their homes and their faith in the American Dream.”
Madigan spoke for less than one minute in a group of Harris endorsers Thursday.
“She demanded big banks provide mortgage relief to allow families to stay in their homes. She stood her ground and together, we prevailed,” Madigan said. “For as long as I have known her, Kamala Harris has always taken principled positions and never wavered. Thanks to Kamala’s determination countless Americans have a home they can call their own.”
Madigan has never been connected to any of her fathers’ alleged crimes. He is scheduled to go on trial in October.
