Kane County Reporter

Laura Curtis said Illinois residents need to be real about what Mike Madigan’s Springfield exit means for the state.

“I really don’t expect anything to be different as long as the state is run by special interest groups and the unions,” the former GOP state House candidate told the Kane County Reporter. “It’s one-party rule in Illinois, and the reason for that is everything is bought and paid for by the unions. Leaders of those groups will focus on whoever is at the head, be it Madigan or anyone else. It’s another example of why we need term limits.”

After 50 years of being a legislator, Madigan resigned from his District 22 seat, and as chair of the Illinois State Democrat Party as questions about his alleged role in a pay-for-play scheme involving ComEd grew louder.

Days before his resignations, he was forced out as House speaker when nearly two dozen Democratic lawmakers opted not to support his reelection.

While no charges have been filed against Madigan and he maintains his innocence, at least four individuals with links to him have been indicted as part of the probe, and ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine.

Curtis said she isn’t surprised to see Madigan choosing to walk away at this precise moment.

“I think he knows the state of Illinois is probably an inch away from rock bottom, and he understands there’ nothing as he can do or take away from it,” she said. “I wish the new speaker all the best, but I wouldn’t want to be him. All I can say is I hope he puts the interest of the people and the state before all the politics.”