Will County Gazette

The political and legal pressures power-broker Rep. Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) faces could result in his resignation from the House in the "next few months," a former Republican Congressional candidate said.

"With all the allegations he's facing, the time for Madigan to be gone has been right for a while," Mike Fricilone told the Will County Gazette. "I know, so people think he may still be lurking and even pulling the strings behind the scenes, but I don't see that. I think he'll resign from everything over the next few months. I think he knows his time is over."

After nearly 40-years of Madigan leading the House, lawmakers elected Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) as the speaker.

Madigan's ouster from the speaker role is potentially related to a Justice Department investigation. Federal authorities implicated Madigan as the alleged recipient of a years-long bribery scheme that included ComEd. The state's largest utility conceded to authorities of its involvement and was fined $200 million but did not admit wrongdoing. Madigan has not been charged and denied any wrongdoing. 

Even with Madigan not leading the House, Fricilone said he isn't sure how much will change in Springfield.

"Democrats still have the majority," he said. "There may be more a little more infighting, but they still call the shots. That what happens when you have one-party rule."

Fricilone isn't alone in wondering if Welch is the right man to bring the kind of change to Springfield he thinks will ultimately be needed.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider is among those not sold on Welch being the man for the job of cleaning up Springfield. He referred to Welch's close ties to Madigan and allegations about harassing, assaulting and retaliating against women.

Concerning the allegations raised by Schneider, authorities have not found any wrongdoing. In one instance, charges were never filed. The accusations reported in court documents were dismissed.