SE Illinois News

The Illinois Republican Party released a robocall informing voters in the 118th Congressional District that state Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) cast his ballot for House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

“Phelps voted to elect Chicago political Boss Mike Madigan for a record 17th term as speaker of the House and extend Madigan’s reign over Illinois,” the robocall said. “No one has done more damage to our state than Mike Madigan – but yesterday, Brandon Phelps chose to keep him in charge.”

At this point, the votes have been cast and nothing can be changed but the state party wants voters to know how their representative voted.

“The point of the robocalls is to make voters aware of how people are voting,” Republican County Chairwoman for Hardin County Rhonda Belford told SE Illinois News. “[Phelps] chose Madigan and his agenda over the interest of the constituents.”

The party claims Phelps told his constituents he would not be supporting Madigan and went against his word when casting his vote.

Madigan has been speaker for over 30 years and has generally been seen as able to control the different governors that have been in office. Gov. Bruce Rauner has fought back against Madigan, though, since taking office in 2015.

“Rauner has a sufficient amount of money to back up his efforts,” State Central Committeeman for the 15th Congressional District Bob Winchester said. “He’s targeting Madigan and Madigan is fighting back so we’re at a stand still.”

The General Assembly went several months without being able to pass a new budget because of this stand still.

“People are tired of it on both sides of the aisle,” Belford said. “The state representatives know they have to start working together.”

They were able to pass a temporary budget, but state Republicans want someone as speaker who will be willing to work with Rauner even if it is a Democrat.

“If 10 Democrats could’ve rallied around one Democrat, the Republicans would’ve been willing to support that person and visa versa,” Winchester said.

Winchester said Madigan is supported by labor and controls how the money that labor gives is allocated to the districts. Belford said representatives fear losing money for their district and that is why they voted for Madigan.

“Some voted with their heads held high but other voted with their head down, ashamed,” Belford said. “Southern Illinois districts aren’t getting money anyway.”

Winchester does hold some hope for change in this General Assembly.

“There seems to be some progress being made between the governor’s office and the speaker’s office but we’ll have to wait and see,” Winchester said.

Even if Madigan works with Rauner, the party still believes the Democrats who voted for his should be held accountable.

“Phelps’ refusal to stand up to Boss Madigan makes clear that the only way we will ever get a new Speaker is by getting rid of legislators like Brandon Phelps in Springfield,” the robocall said.

Belford believes that because of this vote, it is unlikely Phelps will be re-elected.

“The voters don’t forget,” Belford said.