Will County Gazette

Will County Board Member Steve Balich (R-Homer Glen) hopes with the resignation of Chicago Democrat Rep. Mike Madigan, corruption can end in Illinois.

“Mike Madigan was hopefully the last of the strongmen that will dominate Illinois politics,” Balich said in an interview with the Will County Gazette. “He drew the maps that made it so hard for Republicans to win.”

Balich said Republicans have had to work harder to stay afloat because of Madigan’s actions

“Yet those maps made Republicans learn how to work harder in order to compete,” Balich said. “Madigan ruled to what benefited the Democrat Party and himself. I think ‘himself’ came first.”

Balich said Madigan is no longer “king” of Illinois.

“Corruption is not over in Illinois, but the head of the snake has been removed with his resignation,” Balich said. “It will take some time if ever before one person becomes the king of our state.”

Madigan announced his resignation Thursday, saying it would be effective at the end of the month.

"It's no secret that I have been the target of vicious attacks by people who sought to diminish my many achievements lifting up the working people of Illinois," Madigan said in his resignation letter, 7ABC reported. "The fact is, my motivation for holding elected office has never wavered. I have been resolute in my dedication to public service and integrity, always acting in the interest of the people of Illinois.” 

Madigan was replaced last month by Rep. Chris Welch as the speaker. He has been in the state legislature for 50 years and was House Speaker for more than 35 years.

Madigan will have the ability to handpick his successor, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. He holds 56 percent of the weighted vote when it comes to who replaces him, while Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd), who is a close ally of Madigan’s, holds 31 percent of the weighted vote.