North Cook News

Veteran state Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) is sure of just one thing in the face of all the rising controversy now swirling around Springfield.

“I’ve always said Mike Madigan needs to go and I think he should make it easier on everyone by just resigning,” Morrison told the North Cook News in an interview. 

“I really think that’s what would be in the best interest of all the people of Illinois," said Morrison.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan | Stock Photo

Morrison isn’t alone in his view, with some of the support even coming from unexpected quarters. At least 18 democratic lawmakers now insist they have no intentions of supporting Madigan’s reelection run as House Speaker.

As the state’s longest tenured lawmaker’s problems don’t end there, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where all the perks were allegedly 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.

While Morrison isn’t totally convinced democrats’ claims should be taken at face value, he has no doubt about the tide changing against Madigan.

“After all these years, I think people have really had enough,” said Morrison, “They’re ready for the state to move forward with new leadership.”

In the same breath, Morrison warns that simply showing Madigan the door won’t make all Springfield’s problems magically disappear or bring about the level of reform he thinks is needed.

“It depends on who his replacement would be...To be honest, I haven’t heard a lot of loud voices from the other side talking about the kinds of reforms we all know are truly needed in Springfield," said Morrison.