Sangamon Sun

For state Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), name-calling is literally off the record — to the extent that she recently managed to carefully craft a commitment to cast her vote for House Speaker Mike Madigan without actually stating so overtly.

In a recent interview with Springfield radio station WMAY, Scherer framed her intent as supportive of “the Democrat” without directly linking herself to Madigan. Stating only that she would support the Democratic candidate for speaker owing to her commitment to Illinois’ working families and its middle class, she remained succinct in her phrasing.

"Voters won't be fooled by Sue Scherer's dishonest games,” Illinois Republican Party spokesman Aaron DeGroot said, remarking on the legislator’s previous consistently pro-Madigan voting record. “Scherer refuses to say he-who-must-not-be-named, Chicago Democrat and longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan, but she has already pledged to cast her vote for Madigan once again just like she did in 2013 and 2015.”

Scherer’s name also recently surfaced on the GOP-sponsored website bossmadigan.com, which highlighted her existing ties to Madigan, but “Scherer insists she and Madigan differ on many issues,” WMAY said. Additionally, during her time in office, Scherer has accepted $850,000 in campaign cash from Madigan.

Scherer is not the only House Democrat to waver regarding her affiliation with Madigan. When asked recently if he would vote for Madigan for speaker, state Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) hesitated before replying, “I’m working through that right now.”

“It's not too late for Sue Scherer to put her constituents ahead of Madigan's reckless, power-driven agenda," DeGroot said.