Lake County Gazette

Republican state House candidate Dan Yost thinks Rep. Joyce Mason (D-Gurnee) has at least $23 million reasons for her unconditional support of embattled House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“She knows she needs the campaign cash to win reelection and can’t cut ties with his campaign war chest,” said Yost, who is now challenging Mason in the 61st District. “Maintaining the status quo means higher property taxes, fewer job opportunities and more businesses and families heading over our northern border for better opportunities.”

The longest-serving lawmaker in state history, Madigan now finds himself at the center of a federal corruption probe involving Commonwealth Edison and a pay-for-play scheme. But that wasn't enough to stop Madigan from recently being able to raise in the neighborhood of $555,000 in campaign funds in a single day of fundraising.

As chair of at least four political groups, Madigan is reported to have nearly $23 million in his political coffers, at least partly accounting for the informal title he holds in the eyes of many as the most powerful man in state politics.

Yost recently called on Mason to join him and a growing number of other lawmakers in calling for Madigan to immediately step down.

“Exactly who does Rep. Mason represent?” said Yost. “Addressing corruption in our government shouldn’t be a partisan issue. I am calling on Rep. Mason to join me in demanding an end to the culture of corruption in Illinois.”

In addition, Yost is also demanding that Mason, still in her first term, return the at least $740,000 she’s received in campaign contributions from Madigan’s various organizations.

“This shouldn’t be difficult decision,” he added. “Is doing the right thing really too much to ask from our state representative?”