House Speaker Mike Madigan's principal agent, Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie (D-District 16) recently stated that his fellow House Democrats have no interest in coming to an agreement during Gov. Bruce Rauner’s term in office.
Republicans, virtually ticking off day-by-day highlights of the past fortnight’s events, had plenty to say about that.
“Last week, Mike Madigan said no to any reforms,” Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe said. “Earlier this week, he said no to a budget. Now, Madigan’s top lieutenant is saying no to any agreement ‘during the governor’s entire term in office.’ This is undeniable evidence that Madigan and House Democratic leaders have no interest in ending this budget impasse. They would rather see Illinois residents suffer than admit that their policies have bankrupted the state.”
Despite rumors that Democrats might have been set to reach a budget agreement earlier in May — buzz that was substantial enough to warrant press coverage — by the following week, Madigan seemed averse to the possibility during an on-air interview with Illinois Public Radio.
As if that weren’t enough of a smoke signal, Madigan confirmed that position one day after his radio clip. And 24 hours after that, Lang spoke to reporters.
“It's entirely possible that we won't have a budget during the governor's entire term in office,” he said.
Madigan, holding the position almost continuously since 1983, was re-elected as House Speaker in January 2015.
“Rank-and-file Democrats have a responsibility to the voters that elected them to reject Mike Madigan’s obstructionism and work with Republicans to come to an honest, bipartisan compromise,” Yaffe said.
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