Sangamon Sun

State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) thinks the pressure on House Speaker Mike Madigan will only skyrocket from here.

“I think he’s already facing the most pressure he ever has and by January it’ll be even more when he has to decide if he’ll be running for speaker,” McClure told the Sangamon Sun. “You’ve even got some Democrats that have grown tired of his ways and are speaking out about it.”

With Madigan now at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which payments and perks where allegedly steered to the state’s longest-serving lawmaker in exchange for his support of certain legislation, voters have now taken to protesting outside of Madigan’s home in hopes that he walks away.

Protesters have included members from several advocacy groups, including the Sunrise Movement's Chicago chapter, which chided Madigan with chants of "no dirty energy" and banners that said: "No dirty energy, no dirty money."

The demonstrations come as Madigan is also under investigation by a special bipartisan state House committee recently convened to delve into his recent conduct to determine if any disciplinary actions are warranted on the part of lawmakers.

“I can’t see how any of this would come as a surprise to anyone,” McClure added. “The reality is Speaker Madigan is the target of a serious federal investigation."

Still, McClure admits he doesn’t expect to see Madigan concede much of anything.

“I think he’s going to have to be forced out,” he said. “He’s been in power for so long I just can’t see him stepping aside. Everyone knows the speaker puts his own interest ahead of those of everyone else.”