Lake County Gazette

Chris Bos says he still can’t believe some of what he’s seeing and hearing coming from Springfield.

“I still will be shocked if the legislature does not vote him back in the House,” Bos told the Lake County Gazette of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan. 

Bos recently knocked off incumbent state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) in the 51st District with 54% of the vote.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan | File Photo

“I know the rumors are that he doesn’t have enough votes, but that’s meaningless until the votes are actually counted. We’ve been here before, and somehow he always seems to wiggle out," Bos said.

Currently, at least 18 Democratic lawmakers have come out to insist they have no intentions of supporting Madigan’s re-election efforts, but again Bos stresses actions speak louder than words.

“I hope they stand behind their word,” Bos said. “But it’s easy to say something, but much harder to stand up and do the right thing.”

The state’s longest-tenured lawmaker, Madigan now finds himself at the center of a still-ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scandal where all the perks were allegedly steered to the state’s longest-tenured lawmaker in exchange for favorable legislation.

More recently, four Madigan associates were indicted in connection with the scheme, including longtime pal and local lobbyist Michael McClain, who counts bribery among the charges he faces.

“I would say it's closer to happening than ever before,”  Bos said on the prospect of Madigan finally be shown the door. 

“The drumbeat is beating louder, and the people of Illinois have made it clear they don’t want him in leadership any longer," Bos said.

Bos argues ousting Madigan will only be the start to getting the state back on the right track.

“Getting Madigan out is good, but there’s a process to getting the state back on course,” Bos said. “It’s time we put the people of this state first and do what needs to be done.”