North Egypt News

Franklin County activist Karen Tucker is hoping House Speaker Mike Madigan can take a hint.

“More and more, people are calling for him to go and if he would actually listen that would be great,” Tucker told the North Egypt News. “Normally, one of the biggest problems in this state is voter apathy, but this is something that’s getting attention. People are actually starting to educate themselves about what’s going on.”

With Madigan now at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which payments and perks where allegedly steered to the state’s longest-serving lawmaker in exchange for his support of certain legislation, voters have now taken to protesting outside of Madigan’s home in hopes that he walks away.

Protesters have included members from several advocacy groups, including the Sunrise Movement's Chicago chapter, which chided Madigan with chants of "no dirty energy" and banners that said: "No dirty energy, no dirty money."

The demonstrations come as Madigan is also under investigation by a special bipartisan state House committee recently convened to delve into his recent conduct to determine if any disciplinary actions are warranted on the part of lawmakers.

Tucker welcomes all the added scrutiny.

“To my knowledge, this is the most pressure he’s faced in Springfield,” she added. “Instead of people just complaining about his actions, there’s actually an investigation going on and we’re already starting to see the corruption.”

Tucker said she thinks it’s a good thing that federal investigators have become as involved as they are.

“No matter what, I don’t see him just walking away unless there is some kind of advantage for him to that,” he said. “The reality is people like him just don’t tend to bend to political pressure.”