Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker during an appearance in Rock Island County. | Photo Courtesy of J.B. Pritzker Facebook
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker during an appearance in Rock Island County. | Photo Courtesy of J.B. Pritzker Facebook
The Illinois GOP claimed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been "dodging and weaving" questions about whether or not House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) should resign from his leadership positions.
The Republican Party alleged in a July 31 news release that Pritzker is downplaying evidence, calling what the U.S. Attorney found as "somewhat vague."
Republicans are asking questions about what is considered "vague" since Pritzker has said he would like Madigan to answer questions because Illinoisans deserve to hear from the embattled legislator.
The GOP wants to know what allegations Pritzker believes are "vague," what connections there are that he doesn't see and whether or not Pritzker himself has called Madigan to discuss the controversy. The party is also questioning whether Pritzker believes that Madigan would ever admit guilt and if the resignation standard should be Madigan's word.
"Pritzker knows that Madigan is not holding press conferences and that he won't be answering questions publicly," the Republican Party said in the news release. "So isn't it a cop-out to say he wants to hear Madigan address questions before he would call on him to resign? Does that mean Pritzker will never call on Madigan to resign? Why is it so hard for Pritzker to join other Democrats in calling for Madigan to resign – what is Pritzker so afraid of?"
Madigan released a statement in late July to outlets, including WBEZ, regarding the allegations against him, saying he had no plans to resign from his leadership positions.
“I have never made a legislative decision with improper motives and any claim otherwise is unfounded,” Madigan said in his statement, WBEZ reported on July 30. “I will continue to lead the effort to defeat Donald Trump, expand the Illinois congressional delegation and the majorities in the Illinois House and Senate.”
Madigan has been in the Illinois House since the 1970s. He's been speaker since 1983 except for two years and he had been the chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois since 1998, WBEZ reported.
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