State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) hopes ex-Rep. Mike Madigan soon becomes an established example of what not again to allow in Springfield.
"We should not squander this time to reimagine Illinois," Mazzochi told the DuPage Policy Journal soon after Madigan said he is resigning from his 22nd District House seat effective immediately.
"It is always our responsibility to learn from the past, preserve what works well and reform or improve what doesn't," Mazzochi said. "We have an opportunity to both reflect on the past and envision the future of what the people of Illinois deserve and need from all the members of our House, and not just from one man."
After nearly four decades of being in power, Madigan said on Feb. 18 he would resign, approximately a month after Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) replaced him as House speaker.
The influential Democrat was the state's longest-serving lawmaker.
Madigan's departure also comes after mounting pressure for the power-broker to step aside following connections to a federal bribery investigation that also involved ComEd, the state's largest utility provider.
Though ComEd admitted no wrongdoing, it did agree to pay a $200 million fine related to the federal investigation. Authorities have not charged Madigan, and the former legislator admits no wrongdoing. However, at least four individuals with known ties to him have been indicted in connection to a pay-for-play scheme.
Despite Madigan leaving office, Mazzochi believes voters still probably haven't heard the last from the Chicago Democrat, who remains in his post as Illinois Democratic Party chairman.
"Notwithstanding his resignation, Madigan will continue to be a major player on the Illinois political scene until he publicly declares he will play no role in the upcoming legislative remap or surrenders control of the many millions in his Democratic Party of Illinois political funds," she said.
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