Prairie State Wire

With Springfield gripped by scandal and a series of federal corruption probes still playing out, a quartet of Republican state lawmakers recently joined forces in calling for the resignation of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

At a recent press conference, state Reps. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), Randy Frese (R-Paloma) and Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) spoke of the “culture of corruption” they insist has become rooted in Springfield under Madigan’s watch.

“Mike Madigan is the longest-serving House Speaker in history and under his reign we’ve seen a decades-long pattern of unethical behavior and corruption in Illinois government,” Batinick was quoted in a press release. “People all around him are being investigated, searched, recorded, arrested and indicted. To restore trust and accountability in state government, Speaker Madigan must resign.”

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago)

Morrison added that Madigan has ruled Springfield with an iron fist, advancing legislation that he stands to benefit from while putting most everything else on the back burner.

“Those who play his game are rewarded with key committee chairmanships and later many receive lucrative lobbying contracts and jobs, while those who stand up to these practices are punished,” Morrison said. “This culture of corruption denigrates our entire system of government and impacts families on a personal level through the ‘corruption tax’ we pay.”