On Thursday, the legendary political figure sent a letter to the Speaker of the House announcing that he will resign as a representative of the state he has held since 1971. A second letter to the House Clerk offered Madigan’s resignation, taking effect today.
“It’s no secret that I’ve been the target of vicious attacks from people trying to diminish my many accomplishments by educating the working population of Illinois,” Madigan said in part. “The fact is that my motivation to hold elected office has never wavered. I have been unwavering in my commitment to public service and integrity, and have always acted in the interests of the people of Illinois.”
He went on to say, “I am leaving office in peace with my decision and am proud of the many contributions I have made to the state of Illinois, and I know I have made a difference.”
His career began in 1970 when he was first elected to represent Chicago’s Southwest Side. He has served as Speaker of the House for nearly two years since 1983. But Madigan’s government came to an end as the longest-serving House speaker in US history. Madigan has served as a speaker for nearly two years since 1983. He was replaced in that position by Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who became the first black person in Illinois history to hold that position.
RELATED: Rep. Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch succeeds Mike Madigan as the speaker of Illinois House
“I think we are at a point where we are changing the political history of the state of Illinois,” said Dick Simpson, a professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Madigan was the last powerhouse left in power.”
Madigan is credited with many achievements in his career, including enduring historic educational reforms, raising the minimum wage, abolishing the death penalty, and passing the Marriage Equality Act.
His support crumbled under a federal corruption investigation from ComEd in which he was involved but not charged with a bribery and job plan. Realizing last month that he would not be able to get the 60 votes necessary to remain Speaker, he announced that he would step aside.
In 2018, support for Madigan began to crumble with the #MeToo movement when he faced sexual harassment with his staff and under his leadership.
Madigan’s career has included nine governors of Illinois and mayors of Chicago and eight presidents. He is one of the last political bosses of yesteryear to get his start as captain of the district under Mayor Richard J. Daley’s machine.
The 78-year-old, who is also a real estate tax lawyer, remains the chairman of the Democratic State Party, where he still wields significant political power, with a political war chest.
His constituents generally said they thought he had done his tenure well.
“I think he has done a lot for the community. I voted for him,” said Lindsay Koss, resident of Garfield Park.
While political opponents emphasize how he has contributed to the national debt, particularly underfunded pensions, many residents of the Madigan district are concerned about more tangible issues and the old-fashioned politician taking care of his constituents.
“He’s done well through me,” said Mike Oziminski, resident of Garfield Ridge.
RELATED: ComEd to Pay $ 200 Million for Federal Bribery Investigation; Illinois House speaker Mike Madigan is in charge
After visiting a Metro East COVID-19 vaccination site Thursday afternoon, Gov. JB Pritzker said he wishes Madigan the best and praised the state’s decision to vote Welch as Illinois’ first black speaker.
“When you serve for so long and in such a dedicated way in terms of just being pure, the number of hours the man has put into the job, his family can really suffer; “I just want to call them today and say they really deserve credit for the public service that former Speaker Madigan did.”
When asked about Madigan’s implications in the ComEd investigation, Pritzker said it “has run its course.”
“The allegations surrounding things like that are not good,” said Pritzker. “I believe our job is to tell the truth, to be honest, to do the right thing, to serve with integrity.”
WATCH: Gov. JB Pritzker responds to Madigan’s resignation
Read Madigan’s full statement here:
“Today I announce that I will be stepping down as the 22nd District State Representative at the end of the month. It has been a great honor for me to serve the people of Illinois as Speaker of the House and State Representative of the United States. district 22. This trip would not have been possible without my wonderful wife, Shirley, and children, Lisa, Tiffany, Nicole and Andrew, who have stood by my side year after year, offering their love and support despite the pressure to grow up in the public eye, I am lucky to have them in my life.
“Fifty years ago I decided to dedicate my life to public service. Simply put, I knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I believed then and still do, that it is our duty as civil servants to kill themselves. Helping the Most Vulnerable and Hardworking People Build a Good Life These ideals have been the cornerstone of my work for the people of Illinois and the driving force during my time at the Illinois House.
As a speaker, legislator and member of the Illinois Constitutional Convention, I have worked to make the General Assembly an equal arm of government, and to ensure that it acted as a check on the power of the governor and executive. , especially around the abuse of a governor. Many heated battles were fought to prevent governors from rewriting the legislation sent to them by the General Assembly.
“I am extremely proud of our work to increase the diversity of voices in the House Democratic Caucus to include more women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community. During my tenure as a speaker at the Illinois House, we have worked to choosing representatives of all backgrounds and beliefs to truly represent the interests of the people of our state.
“With the partnership of this diverse and talented group of Illinois Democrats and with our colleagues across the aisle, we were able to level the playing field and strengthen the middle class as workers in other states saw their wages drop.
“We have achieved a school funding reform to increase investment for schools in need and address inequalities in our state’s education system. We have made Illinois a hospitable state by passing the Illinois Dream Act and driving licenses. provide to undocumented residents.
“We strengthened workers’ rights, raised the minimum wage, increased access to health care for the most vulnerable residents of Illinois, and protected a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions.
“We defended the rights of all residents of Illinois by enforcing marriage equality, and finally recognizing the rights of men and women to marry the people they love. We enacted criminal justice reforms to pass laws. that too often targeted people of color and led the country to expand voting rights as other states weakened it.
“Working with leaders in the retail, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare and other industries, we have partnered with job creators to encourage economic development and address crises in our unemployment insurance and workers compensation systems. Film industry, created the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority that reinvented McCormick Place and Navy Pier, and established the Illinois Sports Facility Authority that kept the White Sox in Chicago.
“When we were confronted with the Rauner government and the interests of the wealthy, who were trying to weaken the unions and workers’ movement in Illinois, we stood up for working people.
Rauner then plunged our state into a budget crisis, nearly bankrupting social service providers, eliminating funding for higher education, and racking up billions of dollars in public debt. House Democrats were the last line of defense to protect us. state of collapse.
“Under my leadership, we have increased state and local government transparency by creating the Freedom of Information Act and protecting it from attempts to water it down, we have deposed Rod Blagojevich and have repeatedly defended state ethics. and strengthens campaign finance laws. “
It is no secret that I have been the target of vicious attacks by people trying to diminish my many accomplishments by educating the working population of Illinois. The fact is that my motivation to hold elected office never has. I have been unwavering in my commitment to public service and integrity, always acting in the interests of the people of Illinois. “
“My accomplishments would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many members of my staff over the years. I thank them for their efforts on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus and the people of Illinois. I also want to thank the many. volunteers and supporters working on behalf of the residents of the 22nd district With the collective support of many, we have made Illinois a stronghold of democratic values.
“I am leaving office in peace with my decision and am proud of the many contributions I have made to the State of Illinois, and I know I have made a difference.”
Speaker Chris Welch released a statement after Madigan’s announcement, thanking him for his decades of service.
“I thank the former Speaker for his heartfelt and meaningful contributions to our state,” Welch said Thursday.
“Now we need to build on that with a new generation of leadership that focuses on racial and gender equality in all dimensions, enhancing government transparency, and leading with the kind of belief, compassion, and collaboration expected by our constituents. I appreciate his contributions and I’m joining Illinoisans across the state to wish him the best, ”he said.
Today’s news of Rep. Madigan’s retirement comes as no surprise to me and every other Illinois person, and I have been looking forward to this ‘new day’ in Illinois for some time now. I urge Democrats in both Houses and urges the governor to consider how we can use this opportunity to improve Illinois. Rep. Madigan’s autocratic rule over the decades has not made Illinois a more prosperous or competitive state, “said Republican leader Jim Durkin. Illinois House in a statement Thursday.
“Our state is in ruins – financially, structurally and ethically. New ideas and genuine cooperation between the parties is the only way forward,” said Durkin.
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