Will County Gazette

Republican Congressional candidate Rick Laib rejoices at the thought that after almost five decades, Mike Madigan’s Springfield act may finally be wearing thin with voters.

“I don't recall protests at the Speaker's home in the past, but now protests in the present indicate that the people are starting to see some value in holding Mr. Madigan accountable, at least to some degree,” Laib told the Will County Gazette. “This appears to be the strongest pushback directly from the public that he has received in recent years.”

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.

Running against incumbent state Rep. Bill Foster (D-Illinois) in the 11th District, Laib said he’s hoping voters will realize they have the power to bring about the level of change so many of them insist they now want to see.

“All the voting citizens of Illinois have an opportunity to vote for change, especially when it comes to the speaker,” he said. “Madigan can stay in office but he can be removed as speaker very easily if the Democrats lose the majority in the General Assembly. It is incumbent on the people to vote for government leaders that best represent them.”