House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) will extend his 46-year career through 2020, according to a recent report from Politico Illinois Playbook, and the Illinois Republican Party is accusing him of planning to rig the legislative maps that will be drawn up that year, according to a press release.
“People around him – including a top legislative leader, numerous lawmakers and, most recently, his daughter – are calling it quits, but there’s no sign the longtime House speaker is hanging it up,” Politico’s Natasha Korecki wrote. “In fact, one source told us last week that Madigan, 75, seemed intent on sticking around through the 2020 remap.”
The Illinois GOP noted that Madigan’s tenure in office has seen him observe or take part in four remaps already. The party also pointed out that top Democratic gubernatorial candidates have not come out in favor of any specific independent redistricting plans that would make the process more transparent.
House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago)
"For Mike Madigan, 46 years in power isn't enough," GOP spokesman Aaron DeGroot said in the press release. "Even though he's in his twilight years, Madigan wants to stick around until the 2020 remap so he can consolidate power and stick it to voters one last time. If given the chance, (J.B.) Pritzker, (Chris) Kennedy and (Daniel) Biss would all bow to Madigan and sign his rigged legislative maps in a heartbeat."
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