SE Illinois News

With Mike Madigan’s resignation from the Illinois House, state Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) said now the real drama begins.

“The Biden administration has asked for John Lausch, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, to resign,” Niemerg told the SE Illinois News. “Lausch was running point on the federal investigation into Madigan. With Lausch gone and Madigan resigned, what is the appetite of federal investigators to keep pursuing the case?”

Madigan resigned from his District 22 seat representing Chicago after 50 years.

His departure comes a month after he was replaced as the House speaker, following nearly 40 years following a growing number of party members own refused to support his reelection campaign.

The state’s longest-serving lawmaker walked away in the middle of a still-unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd, where he has been linked to an alleged pay-for-pay scheme where all the perks were steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.

As content as he is to see Madigan resign, Niemerg worries about what message this could send to the masses if it unfolds the way he thinks it may.

“Yes, it is good that he has resigned, but if the case against him is swept under the rug, it would set a terrible precedent,” he added.

Though four known associates of his have been indicted already in connection with the probe, including longtime confidante Mike McClain, Madigan has not been charged and continues to insist he engaged in no wrongdoing.

In January, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) was installed as his replacement, becoming the first black person in Illinois history to hold the position.