Prairie State Wire

Jim Dodge views next month’s general election as a vote on the future of Illinois.

“That’s what this election is all about, that’s just how critical it is,” Dodge told the Prairie State Wire. “There’s just no way we can afford more of Mike Madigan.”

With the election just three weeks away, Dodge said no one should be surprised to see Madigan (D-Chicago) amplifying the same shady tactics that have helped keep him in power for more than four decades,

Mike Frerichs

Illinois News Network reports that Madigan recently took a $768,000 campaign gift from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME) in an election year where he is running unopposed in the 22nd District.

“It’s an investment to help keep him in power and the organization is assured of maintaining an ally in high places,” said Dodge running as a Republican for state treasurer against Democratic incumbent Mike Frerichs. “That’s how it works, in Mike Madigan’s world money gets you power and power gets you money.”

Dodge is quick to point out Madigan’s latest deal with the union comes at a time when the organization is locked in contract negotiations with Gov. Bruce Rauner where Wirepoints reports the two sides are as much as $3 billion apart in counter offers.

“The union is counting on Mike Madigan to make things alright for them, just like he always has,” Dodge said.

The Prairie State Wire recently reported he donated $2.08 million to the campaigns of 25 state House candidates from his various political organizations over a 24-day period in September.

”All those people are beholden to him to a fault,” Dodge said. "He will continue to fund candidates that work to keep him in power. That’s how he’s maintained his empire for so long.”

Dodge said he senses that voters have finally had enough.

”Voters know we have to change,” he said. “Right now, we have some of the highest taxes in the country, but still some of the most debt. That’s not a good combination for anyone and something has to change.”