Kane County Reporter

Former Republican House candidate, Ben Bierly, desperately wants to see Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan get what he thinks he so richly deserves.

“I think Madigan’s days are numbered and it will be a giant victory for the people of this state,” Bierly told the Kane County Reporter. 

“We’ve got a lot more to clean up but I think it all starts with Madigan and all the damage he’s caused," said Bierly.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan | Stock Photo

Bierly isn’t the only that’s had enough, as evidenced by at least 18 democratic lawmakers now insisting they have no intentions of supporting Madigan’s reelection efforts. The state’s longest tenured lawmaker, he now finds himself at the center of a still evolving federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where all the perks were steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.

More recently, four individuals with close ties to Madigan were indicted in connection with the scheme, including longtime pal and local lobbyist Michael McClain, who counts bribery among the charges he faces.

“I think what the democrats are saying can be taken at face value,” said Bierly, “I think they’re really putting themselves out there by saying this publicly and have every intention of finally standing up to Madigan. I actually think they’ll even be more to take the same stand as the 18; there’s always a few that think the same way as the others but just won’t say it out loud.”

 But Bierly warns bringing real reform to Springfield runs a lot deeper than just showing Madigan the door.

“Just take a look at how the Legislative Inspector General Office has to operate,” said Bierly. 

“Right now, the office is absolutely crippled when it comes to how they can investigate wrong doing within the legislature.  We’ve got to have a system that removes all the shackles and allows for those found to be at fault to be dealt with," said Bierly.