SPRINGFIELD – More calls for Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan came from Republican primary contenders Wednesday morning. Gubernatorial candidates of both parties, Democrat attorney general candidates as well as others were joined by now-Burr Ridge mayor Mickey Straub and former state Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon), who are running for the House in the March 20th primary.
Calls for Madigan to step down follow sexual harassment allegations from at least two young women that worked for the Speaker's legislative and political staff over the last several years – thus earning the "Sex in the Capitol" scandal tag.
The Speaker reportedly responded to the calls, saying, "That's not going to happen."
“I call on Mike Madigan to resign and ask my opponent to stand with me against Madigan,” said conservative state representative candidate Mickey Straub, who is challenging House Minority Leader Jim Durkin in his district's primary on March 20th.
“For decades politicians in both parties have quietly colluded to protect their own power and the Springfield culture at our expense. This behavior should not be tolerated in either party. That is why we need fresh, independent representation in Springfield," Straub said.
Downstate GOP candidate Dwight Kay agreed.
Straub pointed to his opponent Jim Durkin as having worked with Madigan for nearly 20 years.
"Durkin’s actions align with his statement in The Western Springs Journal (August 2016) when he said, 'I agree with Madigan more than I disagree with him,'" Straub said. "Durkin has proven he won’t hold Madigan accountable."
Straub said for three years, while 27 sexual harassment complaints against lawmakers gathered dust, the legislative inspector general’s office sat vacant on Madigan’s and Durkin’s watch. It took years and a whistleblower to finally get them to act.
Madigan took three months to fire his longtime aide Kevin Quinn, who was accused of sexually harassing political consultant Alaina Hampton for months. Madigan finally took action when details about the situation were leaked to the media. Earlier this week, Madigan fired another employee in response to complaints.
“I’d compare it to the Wild-Wild West, but I wouldn’t want to insult the west,” Straub said.
Where was Jim Durkin while the legislative inspector general’s office sat empty?
“Where has Durkin been for 10 terms and 20 years? Where is Jim Durkin now, as Republicans and Democrats call for Madigan to resign?” said Straub. “Over their decades-long partnership, Durkin has demonstrated he won’t hold Madigan accountable. His silence reaffirms what we already knew.”
- Democrat Attorney General candidate Scott Drury called for Madigan to step down HERE
- Democrat gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss calls on Madigan to step down from state party leadership HERE.
- Lawmakers call for "independent investigation" which is causing some problems – unable to find truly independent investigators in a world Madigan has ruled for decades.
