Lake County Gazette

Former Illinois Republican Senate candidate Christopher Kasperski said longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) never ceases to amaze him with the level of influence he holds over most Democratic lawmakers in Springfield.

"Despite the ComEd scandal ... Boss Madigan bought the quiet loyalty of democratic representatives and is vying for a 19th term as Speaker of the House," Kasperski told the Lake County Gazette. "Those Democrats sure know how to obey."

While ComEd did pay a fine, the company did not admit any wrongdoing.

The three Democrats on a six-person bipartisan Special House Committee convened reviewed Madigan's role in the ComEd scandal. The Democrats ended the probe with a party-line vote after hearing from one witness and not issuing a subpoena requiring the state's longest-running lawmaker to appear for questioning.

Madigan remains part of a federal corruption probe about the matter, which revolves around allegations of a pay-for-play scheme where purportedly perks were steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.

Kasperski, who registered nearly 42% of the vote in his run against Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake), contends its long past time that Madigan is shown the door.

"Corruption cements itself in our government when officials have held on to the reins of power for too long," Kasperski said. "Speaker Madigan has been in power my entire life, and he has far more control over a state than any other person in American history. Being the chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party gives him absolute control over his party and being the speaker of the House gives him absolute legislative powers."

Kasperski said he's convinced real reform can't come to Springfield as long as Madigan remains in power.

"I'm afraid that corruption will continue to linger under his nose," he said. "Madigan has had more time than any other American legislative leader in our nation's history to shape the culture within the state government."