SE Illinois News

No matter how House Speaker Mike Madigan responds to a Special House committee’s request for him to testify about some of his conduct, GOP state House candidate Paul Jacobs isn’t sure what it will mean.

“If Mr. Madigan does decide to testify, it will be a very guarded testimony,” Jacobs told the SE Illinois News. “I do not feel we will learn as much as we would like. I think it would be highly unlikely Madigan would get into the intricacies of his involvement with ComEd, ATT or even Walgreens.”

In addition to the House probe, the state’s longest-tenured lawmaker also now finds himself at the center of the unfolding federal investigation where prosecutors contend perks and benefits were steered to him through associates as part of a pay-for-play scheme where he provided support on pending legislation.

“With everything at stake, concerning the federal investigation into basically Illinois politics, we really need answers so that our politicians understand they can’t get away with unethical behavior, bribes and special jobs for friends,” added Jacobs, who is now running in the 115th House District. “We know it is an uphill battle in the state with the Democrat super majority, but we also know we are being heard by all Illinoisians. All of us can judge for ourselves particularly after committee meetings committee hearings and legal recourse.”

Through it all, Jacobs argues Madigan won’t make things easy.

“I do feel the opportunity is present for the Democrats on the House committee to demand that Madigan comply,” he said. “However, Madigan being a trained attorney would absolutely know how to testify without implicating himself in much of the scandal. I do think that the Democrats on the House committee have an opportunity to show Illinoisans that they are concerned about our ethics and ethics reform by at least demanding Madigan testify.”