Lake County Gazette

Republican state Senate candidate Chris Kasperski argues that in order to bring real reform to Springfield, it won’t be enough to just show House Speaker Mike Madigan the door.

“If we want to force Madigan out, then we have to force out the people who give him his power,” Kasperski told the Lake County Gazette. “It is a welcome sight to see that left-leaning groups are beginning to turn on the speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, but that won't be sufficient to break the decades-long loyalties cemented into their incumbencies.”

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 longtime incumbent state Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) in the 31st District, Kasperski argues that it’s critical that investigators keep digging.

“Pressure has never phased Mike Madigan,” he added. “He is the longest-serving legislative leader in either a state or federal position of power in our nation's history. He has used the power of the purse and his gerrymandered maps to establish a favorable playing field, and then he resists any challenger to his loyal endorsers. He has long held the moniker of ‘The Velvet Hammer.’”

Kasperski said everything now happening in Springfield only serves to make November’s general election more germane.

“People are going to start demanding more forcefully if they are not being represented as we are being taxed to death,” he said. “I would hate to see things boil over, and hope that this election, the voters finally take a stand against their lousy leadership.”