Will County Gazette

Mickey Straub worries that voters across the state are being cheated by the rumored alliance between Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Spring) and Democratic leaders.

“It creates a potential conflict of interest,” Straub, Burr Ridge's mayor who is taking on the House minority leader in the Republican primary, told the Will County Gazette. “Voters have to know who they are voting for.”

Rumors persist that Durkin is now working with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and other Democratic operatives in enhancing his re-election efforts after the majority of Durkin’s leadership team aligned themselves behind the record-setting 32 percent tax hike passed in the Legislature as part of the state budget.

Rep. Jim Durkin

Durkin is also reported to have recently received financial assistance from powerful Chicago Alderman Ed Burke. In recent times, Burke’s Burnham Committee has been known to also make contributions to such powerful Democratic leaders as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Democrat Cook County Board of Review Member Michael Cabonargi, Democrat Cook County Commissioner and top Madigan aide Ed Moody and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Straub said the benefits from Durkin’s Democratic ties don’t end there.

“While they’ve gerrymandered every other district that they can, Dems have protected his district,” he said. “I think an investigation is warranted. The amount of support he gets from that side has become uncomfortable.”  

Straub said all the dysfunction has left Springfield the laughingstock of the political universe.

“It is a den of thieves,” Straub said. “We need people with character and integrity, that’s why I’m staying in race.”

Straub said he knows taking down someone as connected as Durkin would give him an instant voice in Springfield. “It would get people’s attention and would be heard louder,” he said. “My voice would be saying what I’ve always been saying, that 'the people are more important than self-preservation.'”

Straub added he feels being part of the change in Springfield has become his destiny.

“God called me here for a reason,” he said. “And it starts with getting rid of Mike Madigan. I would love being part of the change.”