Will County Gazette

Illinois Republican House Floor Leader Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is worried that the worse may still be yet to come for the state's long sagging economy.

"We need structural, fundamental change, and instead, what we're getting is more people moving to endorse Mike Madigan for another term as House Speaker," Batinick told the Will County Gazette. "None of the changes that are needed with this economy can happen as long as Mike Madigan is still in charge."

Madigan was not reelected as House speaker. 

Batinick pointed to Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) data that found the bulk of the job losses have come in the leisure and hospitality industry, which shed approximately 27,000 during November.

But Batinick warned the problems run much deeper than that, and there are no simple solutions.

"I really don't think the restrictions are the biggest thing," he said. "I think our inefficiency and the corrupt nature of Springfield are even bigger problems. Addressing all the corruption has to be part of the discussion, other than that why would anyone want to bring their business here to deal with any of this."

In the end, Batinick insisted any reform movement has to start with Madigan pushed out. 

"He needs to go, and I think we're closer to getting to that point than ever before, but it has to happen," he added.

The state's longest-running lawmaker, Madigan, is allegedly at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where perks were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.