Will Hinsdale-Area Democrat Back Madigan?

CLARENDON HILLS, IL — The Democratic candidate running for state representative in the western suburbs, including Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills, is declining to say who will get her support in the race for House speaker — incumbent Michael Madigan or his challenger, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit.

In an interview Thursday, Jennifer Zordani, a Democrat from Clarendon Hills, said she would wait and see who is "jumping in" the race.

"It is an exciting time. People are willing to jump in," Zordani said in an interview. "I have three weeks of an intense race left. I will stay focused on that."

Zordani is facing Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, elected in 2018. Mazzochi is focusing much of her campaign on Zordani's ties to Madigan, namely the hundreds of thousands of campaign dollars from Madigan-controlled political committees.

In July, federal prosecutors alleged that ComEd bribed Madigan with lucrative jobs, contracts and monetary payments. ComEd agreed to pay $200 million in restitution as a result for its part in the affair. Madigan has not been charged.

As of late September, nearly two-thirds of the $360,000 in contributions to Zordani's campaign had come from the state party and the Democratic Majority, both of which Madigan heads.

It's the first time in memory that Madigan faces any competition for the speaker's position. Kifowit of Oswego was the first Democratic lawyer to call for Madigan's resignation in the wake of the ComEd scandal.

On Tuesday, Mazzochi's campaign reported receiving $200,000 from the state's richest person, Ken Griffin. Late last week, Patch ran a story about Mazzochi's social media posts. They included comments about transgender people, her assertion that President Barack Obama sought revenge against "colonialist white men" and her explanation why a "white, male Republican" president is best for liberty.

Zordani said she was "perturbed" that Griffin gave money to a candidate who had made such statements.

"When is bigotry a disqualifier from office?" Zordani said. "Ken Griffin is buying into bigotry at this point."

Griffin is the CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel. His spokesman, Zia Ahmed, said Thursday, "Griffin was not only unaware of the posts but also sent his donation to Mazzochi’s campaign several days before the Patch story was published."

Ahmed said Mazzochi’s statements do not represent Griffin’s values.

Mazzochi, who represents the 47th House District, has not returned a number of messages for comment.

Check other stories about 47th House District candidates Deanne Mazzochi and Jennifer Zordani:

Mazzochi's Sterigenics Vote Criticized

Mazzochi Receives Special Interest Money

Why Did Elmhurst Lawmaker Avoid Taking Stand On Issue?

Elmhurst-Area Democrat Says Madigan 'Face of Machine Politics'

Madigan Donates Big To Elmhurst-Area Democrat

Elmhurst Rep Says Why She Avoided Yes-Or-No Vote

Elmhurst Rep: Obama Disliked 'Colonialist White Men'

Elmhurst Rep Says 'Trump Loves America' in 2016 Post

State's Richest Man Gives $200K To Elmhurst And Plainfield Reps

LGBT Group Denounces Elmhurst Lawmaker