Macon Reporter

State Senate candidate Hal Patton reasons that political candidates who take money from House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) already have cast their vote about what kind of state they want Illinois to be.

“Candidates who take money from Madigan are letting the people of the state know that they’re fine with the status quo,” Patton told the Metro East Sun. “They’re happy with high taxes, jobs and people leaving the state at record numbers, and still no balanced budget.”

The Prairie State Wire has reported Madigan shelled out $2.08 million to 25 candidates on the ballot next month, in a move critics charge is aimed at keeping him in power.

Rachelle Aud Crowe is the Democratic candidate in the 56th Senate District.

Patton, running against Democrat Rachelle Aud Crowe on the Downstate Unity Party ticket in the 56th District, believes that Madigan’s machine-style politics causes every candidate who takes money from the House Speaker beholden to his agenda and no longer trusted to carry out the will of the people.

“Madigan and his allies have been campaigning on two major hits to the taxpayers, a graduated income tax and a vehicle mileage tax,” he said. “Taxpayers will not only see more of their paycheck taken by the state, but will also have to pay an additional charge for every mile they drive on top of the gas tax we already pay.”

Meanwhile, Wirepoints reports that all of Madigan’s recent wheeling and dealing doesn't end there: The longtime House Speaker received a whopping $768,000 campaign contribution from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME).

Hailed as the largest the organization has ever gifted Madigan, the donation comes at a time when AFSCME remains locked in bitter contract negotiations with Gov. Bruce Rauner, with the two sides reported to be as much as $3 billion apart in offers.

The 56th Senate District includes Jersey, Madison and St. Clair counties.