SE Illinois News

GOP state House candidate Paul Jacobs believes the unfamiliar position House Speaker Mike Madigan now finds himself could make all the difference. 

“I think that Mr. Madigan‘s problems with leadership are probably being scrutinized the most that they ever have been,” Jacobs told the SE Illinois News. “As I have mentioned before, Mr. Madigan runs a very tight ship, but I do think it’s beginning to spring some leaks. Which means the whole state of Illinois may have its politics run up the flagpole and really looked at closely. This should show to people all over Illinois the problems that we have with ethics and business as usual in Springfield.”

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.

Running in the 115th District, Jacobs said it’s easy to see how things have come to this.

“I think that the Republican leadership and many Democrat state representatives and state senators are also understanding and truly see the ethics problems that permeate our political system,” he added.

Jacobs said it will take all of that to bring about the kind of Springfield many insist they want to see.

“Mr. Madigan‘s resignation would go a long way in the House to develop a better, more honest political system,” he said. “However, we need to change the way Illinoisans are thinking. They must look at what every politician is doing. All politicians need the respect of their constituents. It is difficult, though, for the constituents to have respect and think that their representative or senator is honest and respectful of them with the lack of ethics in Illinois.”