Macon Reporter

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has joined a growing group of Republican lawmakers pushing a resolution for an immediate vote aimed at removing embattled, longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan from power.

“In interviews with federal prosecutors, Commonwealth Edison officials under investigation have admitted to seeking and receiving special favors and legislation from Speaker Madigan,” Halbrook said. “If proven true, this is the very definition of government corruption, and it’s not the first time Mike Madigan has been the target of serious investigations.”

In addition to demanding that Gov. J.B. Pritzker immediately convene a special session of the legislature, Halbrook has signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 885, which would formally strip Madigan of all the power he’s held as speaker for nearly the last four decades.

“Illinoisans’ trust in their state government has been shattered, and it will only be repaired with a new speaker,” he added. “We need a new start in Illinois, and that requires a new House speaker who can do the job without the constant cloud of corruption.”

Late last month, Halbrook joined veteran GOP legislators Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and Chris Miller (R-Oakland) in demanding that Madigan step down after news of his links to the still unfolding ComEd pay-to-play scandal, in which contracts and payments were allegedly steered to him were first made public.

“Speaker Madigan has ruled Illinois long enough,” the trio said. “It is time for our state to finally rid itself of the corruption and abuse of power that has been the hallmark of Madigan’s tenure as Speaker of the House.”

Madigan, who also serves as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, easily reigns as the longest-tenured lawmaker in the state, serving 35 of the last 37 years as speaker of the House.