SE Illinois News

Republican state House candidate Paul Jacobs laments that special interest groups have come to rule Springfield.

“There are special interest groups that have way too much power in the state of Illinois, which I think would indicate a change in campaign financing, ethics and transparency is needed,” Jacobs told the SE Illinois News. “These laws should easily be made where anybody can understand what our legislators can and cannot do. There are way too many gray areas that need to be removed.”

In Jacobs' view, all the wheeling and dealing is what paves the way for leaders like longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan, who was recently implicated in an ongoing federal corruption probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme. Jacobs points to Madigan being able to raise in the neighborhood of $555,000 in a single day just weeks after legal troubles were made public as almost being just as alarming.

“Mr. Madigan has an awful lot of power which comes with 40 years as leader in the House,” added Jacobs, who is running in the 115th District. “Possibly cutting some of the duties or powers of the leader would be in order like a shared position.”

As chairman of at least four political groups, Madigan is reported to have nearly $23 million in his political coffers, at least partly accounting for the informal title he holds in the eyes of many as the most powerful man in state politics. 

“Would it be better possibly to put term limits on leadership roles in Springfield?” Jacobs added. “We all know one thing, change is necessary. True campaign finance reform is probably the best way to help control the powerful in Springfield.”