Prairie State Wire

A former Republican Congressional candidate said that Rep. Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) no longer serving as House speaker is "irrelevant."

"I think it's actually irrelevant rather, Madigan or some other Democrat, is speaker," Mark Curran told the Prairie State Wire. "At the end of the day, Mike Madigan doesn't personally have an ideology. He just did what the members of his party wanted him to do. He's not the only reason we're in this dire situation."

Madigan's ouster from the speaker role is potentially related to a Justice Department investigation. Federal authorities implicated Madigan as the alleged recipient of a years-long bribery scheme that included ComEd. The state's largest utility conceded to authorities of its involvement and was fined $200 million but did not admit wrongdoing. Madigan has not been charged and denied any wrongdoing. 

Lawmakers replaced Madigan with Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside), making him the first Black House speaker. 

Curran said he hopes GOP members see the situation for what he believes it to be.

"When it comes to reforming Springfield, the only good thing about Madigan being out is that maybe Republicans will win a few more battles now because he's clearly a better politician than most of them," he said. "For things to get better, it's going to take a Republican Party that stands up to Democrats and isn't so complicit."

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider is among those not sold on Welch being the man for the job of cleaning up Springfield. He referred to Welch's close ties to Madigan and allegations about harassing, assaulting and retaliating against women.

Concerning the allegations raised by Schneider, authorities have not found any wrongdoing. In one instance, charges were never filed. The accusations reported in court documents were dismissed.