Kane County Reporter

Jeanette Ward is intrigued by Springfield’s possibilities now that Mike Madigan is no longer in power.

“I hope it means a new day for Illinois, one where the values of the people may truly matter,” the former Republican Senate candidate told the Kane County Reporter. “Madigan’s influence has long been a problem.”

After five decades and 40 years of calling leading the House, Madigan’s run came to an end in February when he stepped down from his District 22 seat and as chair of the Illinois Democrat Party amid potential legal problems.

In January, he was replaced as House speaker by Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) when a growing number of lawmakers from his party refused to support his reelection.

The sweeping changes came in the wake of the state’s longest-serving lawmaker being implicated in an ongoing federal corruption probe allegedly involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme.

To date, federal investigators have not filed charges against Madigan, and he maintains his innocence. ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine. At least four individuals with known ties to Madigan have been indicted as the probe continues.

Ward said she worries that the days of the state’s machine-style politics may still not be over.

“Hopefully, all the money Madigan still has at his disposal will not continue to influence things,” she said. “My concern also is that Welch, with his leftist ideologue, will continue with the same kind of policies that have been hurting us.”

Ward said the new speaker’s early days in office had done little to alleviate her fears.

“What they’re pushing with the new school curriculum measure and the indoctrination it would impose is one example,” she said. “I hope that parents and the school boards stand together to reject those policies. Even if it means removing their kids, parents need to stand up against this garbage.”