Sangamon Sun

In the eyes of veteran state Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield), the Mike Madigan countdown has commenced in earnest.

“I think it’s more than likely that he won’t still be House speaker beyond January,” McClure told the Sangamon Sun. “I think there is great internal debate raging within the Democrat Party and it’s hard to know how it will all end.”

At the same time that the longtime House speaker is vowing to seek another term, 18 Democrat lawmakers are now insisting they have no intention of supporting Madigan’s reelection effort, McClure is sure the end is near as Democrat lawmakers are anxiously distancing themselves from him as fallout from the ongoing ComEd scandal and federal corruption probe it has sparked play out. The latest shoe to drop includes the indictment of four individuals with ties to Madigan, including longtime associate and lobbyist Michael McClain, who now faces bribery charges stemming from a years-long, pay-to-play scheme in which perks were allegedly steered to Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation.

“I think just enough Democrats have come to realize they can’t handle any more with the speaker,” McClure added. He’s been in power for such a long time and has been given multiple opportunities to turn things around but here we still are. He continues to hurt the state more than he helps, all in the name of clinging to his power. All these latest indictments of people close to him just speak to how it’s time for him to go.”

McClure adds Madigan being shown the door will only mark the start of the reform movement that’s now desperately needed in Springfield.

“It’s a great start, but we still have a long way to go,” he said.