SE Illinois News

Republican state House candidate David Friess fears what news Gov. J.B. Pritzker has made at least 35 hires from a so-called “clout list” comprised by House Speaker Mike Madigan could truly mean.

“When Gov. Pritzker filled prominent positions in his administration with people hand-picked by Madigan, the governor confirmed everyone's greatest concern ... Mike Madigan is now in charge of the executive branch because the appointees will be loyal to the speaker, not the governor,” Friess told the SE Illinois News. 

After Pritizker repeatedly vowed to remain free of Madigan’s influence, Friess, who is running against incumbent state Rep. Nathan Reitz (D-Steeleville) in the 116th District, said the fact the two now seem joined at the hip should give everyone pause.

“Pritzker cannot govern without the speaker's input,” he added. “If the governor truly wanted to distance himself from the speaker, the governor would have sought counsel from someone, from anyone, other than the speaker.”

Friess, a Red Bud resident, said he hopes to be part of the change that so many tell him they desperately want to see in Springfield.

“I’m running to take on this corrupt machine and fight for you,” he said. “I am going to Springfield to end Speaker Madigan’s stranglehold on power in Illinois. That is the starkest difference between me and my opponent. I’ll take on Madigan; my opponent has already fallen in line with him.”

Friess said he’s disappointed but not surprised the governor pretty much has done the same thing.

“The governor, by surrounding himself with Madigan's hand-picked cronies, will only receive advice from individuals who are loyal to Madigan,” he said. “We need independent conservative leaders who will stand up to Madigan and for our Southern Illinois values.”