Rep. Paul Jacobs | File Photo
Rep. Paul Jacobs | File Photo
Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) isn’t quite sure what to make of Mike Madigan’s sudden House exit just yet.
“It is great that he is gone, but will we be able to get the reforms we need to move the state forward,” Jacobs told the SE Illinois News. “Mike Madigan may be gone, but what good is it if his bad policies remain?”
After approximately a four-decade run as House speaker, Madigan resigned from his District 22 House seat by month’s end.
His resignation came a month after he was replaced as the House speaker when a growing number of his party members refused to support his reelection campaign.
The Chicago Democrat has also been linked to a federal Department of Justice investigation that also implicated ComEd. The utility company was fined $200 million by federal authorities but did not admit any wrongdoing.
Federal authorities have not charged Madigan, and he maintains his innocence.
Thus far, four known Madigan associates have been indicted in connection with the ComEd probe, including longtime confidante Mike McClain.
Jacobs said he worries most about what comes next for the long-troubled, cash-strapped state.
“Illinois is in serious trouble,” he said. “We need dramatic policy changes if we are going to get out of this financial mess. Mike Madigan stood in the way of real reforms. It is great that he is gone but will we be able to get the reforms we need to move the state forward?”
In January, veteran state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch was installed as Madigan’s replacement, making him the first black person in Illinois history to hold the position.
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