Dan Ugaste says the thought of Illinois House Minority leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) being aligned with several Democratic heavyweights as he wages his 2018 re-election campaign would be contrary to everything the party has set out to accomplish.
“I haven’t heard about anything along those lines and would be surprised to hear of it,” Ugaste, who is running to replace retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th District, told the Kane County Reporter. “I would say getting money from (House Speaker) Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) when we’re trying to finally take power from him in Springfield would be counter to what we’re supposed to stand for.”
Several media outlets have reported Durkin is now rumored to be working hand-in-hand with Madigan (D-Chicago) on his re-election effort after the majority of his leadership team aligned themselves with Democrats in passing the record-setting 32 percent tax hike that was enacted as part of the new state budget passed over the summer.
And then, there is the financial support the DuPage Policy Journal has previously reported Durkin is said to have received from Chicago Alderman Ed Burke. In recent times, Burke’s Burnham Committee has been known to also make contributions to such powerful Democratic leaders as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), Democrat Cook County Board of Review Member Michael Cabonargi, Democrat Cook County Commissioner and top aide to Madigan Ed Moody, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Beyond being a conflict of interest, Ugaste hinted that he thinks Durkin aligning himself with Madigan in any way rates is not-so-smart politics.
“He has not put the state on a good course going forward,” Ugaste said of Madigan. “I would say the biggest issue is the fiscal mess the state now finds itself in. He’s been a part of it all since things started, and right now we’re behind on our bills and pension liability has grown to be unsustainable. Our government has become one that seems to work for just a select few.”
The 65th District includes Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Pingree Grove, Hampshire and Huntley.
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