State Rep. Darren Bailey | File photo
State Rep. Darren Bailey | File photo
State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) insists he’s left with just one thought upon hearing news that the state’s annual corruption tab now tops $556 million.
“All that says to me is that the Democratic Party now simply stands for corruption because we’ve been under their control forever with (embattled House Speaker) Mike Madigan controlling everything,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “Even now with everything that’s happening he’s showing his arrogance by not even allowing the legislature to go back into session to deal with all the things the people of this state need us to be working on.”
A new University of Illinois at Chicago analysis also noted Illinois ranks as the second-most corrupt state in the country (behind Louisiana) and Chicago is the most corrupt city in the U.S., all of which goes a long way in crippling the state’s chances for economic growth. Over the last two decades, researchers also found the state’s corruption price tag easily tops $10 billion, or around $830 per resident.
This year alone, at least four state lawmakers have been indicted on corruption charges, adding to the state’s long and sordid political history that includes four governors having been sentenced to prison over the last five decades. Presently, Madigan finds himself cast as a central figure in the ongoing federal probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme.
“It’s time that the people of this state wake up and say no more,” Bailey added. “Now, we’ve got this progressive tax coming up and it’s just more stealing from people. We’ve got to take a stand for what we know is right thing.”
As Election Day draws closer, Bailey said he is making it a priority to implore as many people as he can to make their voices heard about the kind of government they want to have.
“I think people are starting to see things they way they really are,” he said. “For so long, Madigan did such a job of disguising everything but with Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker it’s all right there in your face with him acting like a tyrant. I don’t think many people are liking what they’re seeing.”