WHEATON – Via Facebook, former State Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Republican that served the DuPage County area commented Wednesday on Mike Madigan being rejected for another term as Speaker of the Illinois House.
She emphasized, "It is good Madigan is out of office. But all of the Democrats who have voted for him for years before and voted for the policies that have bankrupted Illinois should be out of office as well. Illinois needs to change direction 180 degrees. That won't happen under Welch. The moving companies will have another banner year in 2021 in Illinois."
Here's Ives' statement in full:
So Mike Madigan is no longer the Speaker of the House. I will hold the applause or hope that things in Illinois will change.
First, Chris Welch saved Madigan from investigation by a House panel. Welch has been a reliable ally of Madigan since Welch first took office in 2013. He is also responsible for supporting and voting for legislation that has made Illinois the worst run state in the Union. On the ComEd/Exelon bail out bill that is one of the bills at the center of the ComEd bribery verdict and for which Madigan in under federal investigation, Welch voted Yes. On every unbalanced budget, tax hike, pension expansion, bills that hurt business and protect unions, Welch voted Yes.
Illinois will still be controlled by Madigan through Welch or it will be controlled by the Progressive Black Caucus which doesn't know the words compromise or restraint. The latter is arguably worse.
To boot, Welch has a record of abuse towards women including when in a position of authority over them. It is shocking that the Democrat women would support him. I guess #metoo isn't a problem anymore for the 300 women who signed the letter about harassment in 2017.
I served six years in the House with Welch. He was not a mover and shaker. He wasn't someone you went to in order to work bipartisanly on legislation. The Democrats, including Black Democrats who apparently held the trump cards in this vote (I like to play pinocle – btw), had much better choices if the state wanted to move forward on the policy front. Welch was known for often firey, racially charged speeches using a booming voice to hammer a point regardless of the illogical argument he was making. He wasn't known for someone you would reach out to for policy advice or expertise on an issue at all. He is all politics.
I honestly don't recall him ever holding the gavel and running the actual floor debate. His competency to actually manage the business of the Speaker's duties and running the legislative calendar are in question. Madigan had four more years in office when he took over as Speaker than Welch has today.
It is good Madigan is out of office. But all of the Democrats who have voted for him for years before and voted for the policies that have bankrupted Illinois should be out of office as well. Illinois needs to change direction 180 degrees. That won't happen under Welch. The moving companies will have another banner year in 2021 in Illinois.
