Lake County Gazette

Republican state House candidate Chris Bos is hoping the current movement in Springfield can make all the difference for the long-troubled state.

“People have finally come to understand what (House Speaker) Mike Madigan has done to this state and how his system of corruption has run it into the ground,” Bos told the Lake County Gazette. “It’s been a long time coming, but they’re starting to feel for us to get Illinois back Mike Madigan has to go.”

With Madigan now at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which payments and perks where allegedly steered to the state’s longest-serving lawmaker in exchange for his support of certain legislation, voters have now taken to protesting outside of Madigan’s home in hopes that he walks away.

Protesters have included members from several advocacy groups, including the Sunrise Movement's Chicago chapter, which chided Madigan with chants of "no dirty energy" and banners that said: "No dirty energy, no dirty money."

The demonstrations come as Madigan is also under investigation by a special bipartisan state House committee recently convened to delve into his recent conduct to determine if any disciplinary actions are warranted on the part of lawmakers.

Running against incumbent state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) in the 51st District, Bos said he’s hoping voters keep up the energy going into November.

“It’s the most consistent level of pressure I’ve ever seen being put on Madigan,” Bos added. “We need to keep the pressure on Madigan and those who still stand with him while talking about being against corruption in Springfield need to be shown the door along with him.”

From everything he’s hearing in his talks with voters, Bos said many of them are aiming to send Madigan a message come Election Day.

“They realize none of the things this state needs the most, things like pension and ethics reform, can’t happen as long as Mike Madigan is in charge,” he said. 

Bos concedes none of it will come easily. 

“With the empire he’s built, the only way he’s going to go is kicking and screaming,” he said. “That’s where we the people have to come in.”