Prairie State Wire

 Illinois state Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) is among those leading the charge for a new Springfield.

“We’ve seen examples of one-party rule in Illinois for many years,” Elik said in a Reimagine Illinois video posted to YouTube. “Mike Madigan was in power for decades and really ruled with an iron fist and we saw the result of much, much corruption. We can see that one-party dominance has led to population loss and many issues with corruption in the state.”

With Madigan now finally having been shown the door amid a still unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which the longtime House Speaker was implicated, Elik is hoping to see Republicans’ Reimagine Illinois plan take hold with voters.

“I think that changing the balance of power will benefit all the citizens of Illinois,” she added, highlighting that the plan being pushed by Republican lawmakers’ calls for a Springfield free of corruption and a government guided by greater fiscal responsibility. 

In the face of all the state's mounting dysfunction, Elik and company are hoping enough voters are now ready for the kind of changes Republican lawmakers argue are so clearly in order.  

“We invite you to take a tour of our Reimagined Illinois and if you agree it’s time for a change, sign our petition,” the group posts on its website. “It’s time to Imagine an Illinois where corruption isn’t making headlines and lawmakers are held accountable, where leaders take their fiscal responsibility seriously, watching every penny instead of trying to raise taxes year-after-year.”

In the ComEd case, while Madigan has not been formally charged, five other individuals have been indicted, including one who has pleaded guilty.