SE Illinois News

Darren Bailey believes there’s always a method to House Speaker Mike Madigan’s maddening way of doing business.

“No candidate or legislator in Springfield he financially supports reaps the benefits without knowing what is expected of them in return, which is that they will support whatever policies he proposes,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “This is how he’s maintained his power base for as long as he has.”

The Prairie State Wire recently reported that during the month of September Madigan pumped $2.08 million into the campaigns of 25 house candidates on the ballot in early November.

Cynthia Given

“All the precedent shows this is all about Mike Madigan and keeping him in power,” said Bailey, who is running against Democrat Cynthia Given in the 109th District. “It’s a twisted, twisted version of having power and control and politicians that are taking this kind of money from him can’t be trusted because they are too beholden to him.”

Illinois News Network (INN) reports Madigan recently accepted a $768,000 campaign gift from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME) at a time when he is running for re-election in the 22nd District unopposed.

The donation is the largest ever given to Madigan by AFSCME and comes at a time when the organization remains locked in contract negotiations with Gov. Bruce Rauner where Wirepoints reports the two sides are as much as $3 billion apart in recent offers.

“It’s just typical Illinois politics,” Bailey said. "AFSCME members should be alarmed that their union dues are being used in a way like this. People in Chicago have to come to the understanding that there’s another way of doing things.”

The 109th House District includes Clay, Edwards, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White counties.