Lisa Madigan Already Running for Governor

Even before Gov. Pat Quinn releases details on his proposed income tax hike which he calls "the least bad option," Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has already taken a jab at a tax increase, which folks are saying is the "opening shot" in her bid for the governor's office next year:

Madigan also touched on the state budget deficit, which Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn has estimated at approximately $12 billion... "I think this economy makes it almost impossible to place an income tax increase on people," [Madigan] said.

We would argue Madigan's campaign started a couple weeks ago when she began pushing for greater access to public records -- the cynic in us thinks that move is less about FOIA and more about being seen as the "transparent candidate." Of course none of this comes as a surprise, as Madigan herself has said she's considering a run for the state's top spot. Still have doubts she's planting seeds? Then maybe you can explain why she's suddenly so concerned about how the state buys its road salt:

"We have talked to many individuals representing towns and villages, state officials and road-salt suppliers in an effort to fully understand why many of our municipalities here in Illinois have suffered through this winter without road salt to protect those traveling our streets - or with broken budgets unprepared to handle the added expense," Madigan said. "What we have learned is that procedural improvements to the procurement process are absolutely necessary."

When asked in a recent interview if she had decided whether or not to run for governor, Madigan replied, "Wow, I’m trying to get my bills passed. No, I have not."