Were Madigan’s words about choosing Arroyo successor a warning — or merely ‘speculative?’

House Speaker Mike Madigan, left, in 2015; state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, right, on Friday. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

House Speaker Mike Madigan vowed last year to challenge any successor to former state Rep. Luis Arroyo chosen with “any involvement” of that Northwest Side Democrat’s ward organization.

But state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado — who was appointed with the help of proxy votes cast on Arroyo’s behalf — says her meeting this week with the powerful Southwest Side leader was cordial and steered clear of any talk of a challenge to her qualifications for the seat.

“I would categorize it as a meet and greet, just a get-to-know-you session,” Delgado said of the Tuesday meeting with Madigan. “We did not discuss the challenge at all. … He did not bring it up. … But he did ask me what committees I was interested in being on at the end of that conversation.”

Delgado and Nidia Carranza, a Chicago Public Schools teacher also running for the seat, appeared before the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board on Friday.

Delgado and Carranza are both advocating for more resources for schools in their communities and increasing affordable housing to keep residents from moving elsewhere. Carranza is also running to provide those in the district with an official who is accountable, “not another lobbyist turned politician,” a dig at Delgado’s time lobbying for the city.

Both are running for the House slot filled by Arroyo before he resigned from the Illinois House last year after being charged with bribery.

State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, left, and challenger Nidia Carranza meet with the Sun-Times Editorial Board Friday, January 31, 2020. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

Delgado was appointed last fall to finish the rest of Arroyo’s term until the winner of this year’s election could be sworn in next January. Democratic ward committeepersons representing parts of the House district made the appointment at a November meeting that sparked an uproar.

Even before the ward committeepersons met, Madigan weighed in, warning that “any involvement” by Arroyo’s 36^th Ward organization “whether a direct vote or a vote by proxy would cause the candidate’s qualifications to be challenged by the full Illinois House of Representatives.”

But the ward leaders didn’t heed that warning, thumbing their noses at one of the state’s most powerful politicians. Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30^th) served as Arroyo’s proxy, casting the 36^th Ward votes and his own for Delgado.

State Sen. Robert Martwick and some other ward leaders opted not to vote.

Complaining that the process had been tainted by the use of Arroyo’s votes, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who’s also the 35th Ward committeeman, walked out of the meeting, declaring “the fix is in.”

Ald. Ariel Reboyras announces Eva-Dina Delgado will succeed former Rep. Luis Arroyo in November. File Photo.

Afterward, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown signaled that a challenge was likely, saying “the speaker offered some thoughts last week, and I think he stands by those thoughts.

“He cautioned people from [allowing Arroyo to be involved in the process], so we’ll see how it all develops in the days and weeks ahead,” Brown said.

But roughly two months later, there’s been no challenge lodged against Delgado. Brown said he wouldn’t comment on a private meeting, but did say the speaker’s previous comments were “speculative,” and he didn’t know “that the speaker ever planned to file an objection.”

If such an objection were filed, Brown said Madigan would likely reserve judgment since he’d oversee the proceedings.

With the shadow of Arroyo lingering, Delgado and Carranza are busy campaigning for a full term, each seeking endorsements.

Carranza is backed by the Chicago Teachers Union, the Chicago Federation of Labor and others, but she says, if elected, she would not be beholden to those unions.

“Those that have endorsed me know my platform and what I stand for, and that reflects the community that I live in,” said Carranza, a CTU member. “Born and raised in Chicago’s Northwest Side, my lived experience is what makes me experienced enough for this position because of everything I had to go through. And the fact that I was fighting for basic services in our community is a big reason why they chose to endorse me as well.”

Challenger Nidia Carranza addresses the Sun-Times Editorial Board.

Delgado has been endorsed by Reboyras, 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas and state Sen. Iris Martinez.

Delgado argues voters should not be influenced by the contentious appointment process.

“I would say I’m an independent candidate,” Delgado said, when asked what she would tell wary voters.

“I would also tell them that I care about the issues that they care about. I’m raising a family in this district just like they are. I’ve seen the changes in the community just like they have. We are living similar experiences. I understand the kinds of challenges that they face every day.”