SE Illinois News

With Rep. Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) out as House speaker, Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) hopes for a new direction under different leadership.

“I’m optimistic about what it could mean for the state, but at the same time, I don’t think Rep. Welch is far from his side, and my hope is that he could have become speaker on his own terms and not after having been influenced by 40-years of Madigan rule,” Jacobs told the SE Illinois News. “I think we need to be totally free of Madigan.”

On Jan. 13, the Democratic-led House tapped Welch to replace Madigan, who had held the post for 36 years out of the last 38 years. Welch became the state's first Black House speaker. 

Pressure increased on Madigan to step aside after being allegedly connected to an ongoing federal corruption investigation involving pay-to-play and ComEd, the state’s largest utility company. Federal authorities fined ComEd $200 million. Madigan has denied any involvement and has not been charged. The U.S. Justice Department is leading the investigation.

A special House Committee was also recently convened to look into his alleged role in the scheme, with expulsion from the House being among the penalties he could have faced.

As for Welch, Jacobs said he hopes he means for what he’s said in taking the mantle.

“He’s talked about working together on new rules, which are a good point, but only time will tell,” he said. “His talk about term limits is absolutely on point, and I think the minority party needs to have some real opportunity to get their bills heard and out of committee.”

Jacobs wonders how much Welch’s ideas will materialize, given that Madigan may continue to have influence.

“We have to be willing to make tough decisions and really mean what we say,” he said.