Kane County Reporter

Dan Ugaste argues that House Speaker Mike Madigan and Democrats' election-season deception carry a high price.

“All the distortions harm our system of government,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter. “It’s typical that they do things hoping people won’t remember, then say something different at election time because they know that’s the thing people supported all the time.”

Ugaste points to Madigan’s latest antics as the perfect example. The longtime Speaker is suspected of sending “no budget, no pay” campaign mailers to residents in several districts where he supports a candidate. The advertisement implies that Madigan supports the policy that would make lawmakers' paychecks contingent on passing a balanced budget.

Illinois State House Speaker Mike Madigan

Madigan has actually opposed the idea, going so far as to file suit against former Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger after she sought to enact such legislation, according to North Cook News. Munger, now Gov. Bruce Rauner's deputy governor, and several GOP lawmakers recently held a press conference to address the deception and other issues.  

“Madigan and his people lack integrity,” said Ugaste, who is running against Richard Johnson for the 65th District seat. “That’s how they maintain winning elections, by not caring about people and what they want. It has people in the state thinking that things will never change.”

The idea behind “no budget, no pay” makes perfect sense, Ugaste said.

“I’m fine with a law where legislators are held more accountable,” he said. “They have a job to do and if we don’t have a balanced budget in place they shouldn’t be getting paid.”

The state budget, taxes and pension debt are some of the most important issues to voters heading into November, Ugaste said.

“None of those things will ever change until we make the structural changes to the bloated pension system that are really needed,” he said.

The 65th House District includes Batavia, Burlington, Dundee, Elgin, Geneva, Grafton, Hampshire, Plato, Rutland and St. Charles.