It was Jan. 12, 1983, and the newly installed Democratic Speaker Michael J. Madigan stood on the Illinois House podium, surveyed the kingdom he now ruled and picked up the wooden gavel that symbolized his rise to power.
He declared it a “new era” in Springfield.
Unlike others who would slam the gavel to bring the House to order, Madigan often held it by its barrel-shaped head and gently tapped with the handle. He didn’t need to smack it…