SE Illinois News

Veteran state Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) always predicted it would come to this.

“People here in Illinois are smart people and I always knew they would wake up someday when it came to (House Speaker) Mike Madigan,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “Granted, it’s taken longer than anyone hoped it would, but people have finally had enough of all the bad moral conduct and want something better from their government.”

With Madigan now at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which payments and perks where allegedly steered to the state’s longest-serving lawmaker in exchange for his support of certain legislation, voters have now taken to protesting outside of Madigan’s home in hopes that he walks away.

Protesters have included members from several advocacy groups, including the Sunrise Movement's Chicago chapter, which chided Madigan with chants of "no dirty energy" and banners that said: "No dirty energy, no dirty money."

The demonstrations come as Madigan is also under investigation by a special bipartisan state House committee recently convened to delve into his recent conduct to determine if any disciplinary actions are warranted on the part of lawmakers.

“Mike Madigan has singlehandedly led Illinois on a path of destruction,” Bailey added. “Nowadays, he’s got Gov. J.B. Pritzker as his partner, but up until now Madigan’s been a one-man wrecking crew.”

Bailey said it’s all left him feeling better about the state’s long-term future.

“I’m proud of what the people are doing,” he said. “Hopefully the energy will stay high through Election Day as we gain momentum over the next few weeks.”

As for Madigan, Bailey said he senses all the raised heat may be finally getting to him.

“It’s got to be working on him,” he said. “I believe his base has started to erode a bit as he's tried to cater to the younger lawmakers of the party that are even more liberal than he is to stay in power.”

Bailey said everything about the way Madigan operates screams for the desperate need for change.

“We need term limits,” he said. “Mike Madigan has had power for so long we can’t see all the damage he’s done in running this state into the ground, but it’s clear we all feel it.”