Kendall County Times

Veteran state Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) wonders when Democrats will ever take a stand as the federal corruption scandal involving House Speaker Mike Madigan plays out.

“There have been a few Democrats to call for Madigan’s resignation, but for anything to really happen we need more of them to join in these calls,” Oberweis told the Kendall County Times. “The reality is that Madigan only has power because Democrat lawmakers give that power to him. They could at anytime vote for a new leader.”

After nearly four decades of being in control in Springfield, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd. Federal prosecutors contend the company engaged in a “years-long bribery scheme” involving jobs, contracts and payments that were steered to him in his role as house speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

To date, no charges have been filed against the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, but prosecutors have not been shy in asserting that the utility giant sought to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

Oberweis, who is running in the 14th Congressional District against incumbent Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville), argues it all screams out for change in Springfield.

“Republicans do not have the votes to advance legislation on their own and they certainly do not have the votes to change leadership in the House,” he said. “The only way we are going to get meaningful change is with a change in leadership, and that requires the Democrats taking action.”

Oberweis has already taken Underwood to task for remaining silent throughout all the drama. He said he isn’t holding his breath for Underwood to take a stand.

“Unfortunately, I suspect all we will get from Rep. Underwood is more silence,” he said. “Either she is blind to the cloud of corruption surrounding the speaker or she is willfully choosing to ignore the truth. Either way, her silence is unacceptable. It is time for Democrat officials at all levels of government to demand new leadership.”