Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has released the following statement on the reccent federal indictment of former House speaker Michael Madigan:
“The federal indictment of corruption charges against former House speaker Michael Madigan is disturbing, but proof that justice will be served if wrongdoing by elected officials is uncovered.
“Now, the legal process will proceed and the courts will weigh the evidence as a trial ensues.
“In June 2020, I was one of the first House Democrats to demand that then speaker Madigan resign after he was implicated in the ComEd scandal as Public Official A.
“It was clear to me that the former speaker did not hold the same values that I did, and still do, of what the public expects from a public official.
“In October 2020 I stepped up to be the only person to challenge the former Speaker for the speakership of the Illinois House at that time. Following that announcement, I was honored to be joined by 18 additional House members who sought change in the leadership of the Illinois House and in total 22 members voted for a change in leadership.
“In calling for former speaker Madigan’s resignation I said ‘there will never be another Mike Madigan.’ Considering today’s news I believe that more than ever as we have seen that elected public officials have to hold themselves to a high standard.
“Under the Speakership of Emmanuel ‘Chris’ Welch, we have been able to restore the public trust in the Illinois General Assembly. I was proud to cast my vote for speaker Welch.
“I can say that things have changed for the better in Springfield. I am proud that I helped start the ball rolling for change by calling for the resignation of former speaker Madigan and challenging him to give members in the Illinois House a choice for change. The atmosphere in the General Assembly has improved greatly and I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved from comprehensive ethics reform, including term limits for the speaker of the House, truly balanced budgets, a bill backlog reduced to normal operating levels, two credit upgrades which is the first in 20 years, in addition to comprehensive climate change legislation.
“I think the people of Illinois can be proud of their State and the future progress that can be achieved under the leadership of speaker Welch.”
—Office of Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit