House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) was easily re-elected last month as the Democratic Party chair of Illinois despite receiving calls for his resignation from members of his party over his handling of sexual harassment claims.
"Liberal politicians like Mike Madigan are rarely held accountable for their shortcomings," Blaine Wilhour, the Beecher City Republican running for representative in the 107th District, told South Central Reporter. "If this was a Republican, they would not have survived the first couple days of the legitimate sexual harassment scandal we have witnessed. The Democratic Party has zero credibility on this topic."
Members of the Democratic Party's central committee lauded Madigan for his ability to win elections and push back against Gov. Bruce Rauner's policies. They also nodded to challenges within the party, such as allegations of sexual harassment and violent behavior by two of Madigan's top campaign operatives.
Earlier this year, Madigan dismissed political worker Kevin Quinn and lobbyist Shaw Decremer in connection with the allegations.
"(Democrats) care about power and winning at all costs more than principles," Wilhour said. "They must look at Illinois and think that we are on the right track and no reforms are necessary."
The Chicago Tribune reported Madigan rejected calls for his resignation but sent a letter to House Democrats saying he shoulders “responsibility” for failing to do more to ensure equality in the statehouse and on the campaign trail.
To Wilhour, these allegations against Madigan reveal that he is unfit to be speaker of the House for another term.
"One person should not be allowed to control all the money for the party (which he does through his position as party chairman) as well as having full control of what legislative items get to move forward," Wilhour said. "This is a serious potential opportunity for corruption."
Madigan won the support of 35 of 36 committee members in an intraparty election April 23. The only "no" vote came from Peter Janko of Marengo who said the party needed "fresh new blood, new ideas."
"When people in your organization systemically misbehave, you have a leadership problem," Wilhour said. "The Democratic Party has turned a blind eye to sexual harassment by re-electing Mike Madigan as its leader."
The 107th House District includes parts or all of Bond, Clinton, Effingham, Fayette and Marion counties.
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