Prairie State Wire

Illinois House candidate Peter Breen (R-Lombard) says it's no surprise that special-interest groups are stepping up to support embattled House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) as a federal corruption probe into a pay-to-play scheme involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison deepens.

“Illinois government is set up as a pay-to-play scheme where the special-interest groups with the most money get the most of what they want,” Breen told the Prairie State Wire. “That’s the problem with Springfield, all the special-interest groups have lobbyists working for them while the people of the state don’t have anyone unless their legislator is willing to buck the system and not play ball with Madigan."

Running against incumbent Illinois state Rep. Terra Costa-Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) in the 48th District, Breen watched as Madigan raised more than $550,000 during a one-day political fundraiser just days after he was implicated in the investigation. As chair of at least four political groups, Madigan – widely regarded as the most powerful man in state politics – is now reported to have nearly $23 million in his political coffers.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) | File photo

“The money machine is in full operation and not even a federal prosecution is going to stop that,” Breen said. “All this corruption is destroying the state, and it won’t stop until we change legislators. We have to clean house of every one of the legislators stained by Mike Madigan and his machine, and that's why I'm running."

Several media outlets have also reported that at least some of Madigan's sizable political war chest has gone to the legal defenses of Madigan and his cronies in various cases of alleged wrongdoing. While state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) has filed a bill that would ban politicians from using campaign funds to pay legal bills for corruption cases, Breen wonders how much will really change until voters take a firm stance.

“It’s now become personal for me,” Breen said. “I’ve got family members now talking about moving things out of Illinois because things have gotten so bad. We need immediate change in the way Springfield now governs.”