Kendall County Times

James Marter cracks that embattled House Speaker Mike Madigan deserves all the added attention he’s now receiving.

“If anyone has earned that privilege, I would say it’s Mike Madigan,” Marter told the Kendall County Times. “The damage he’s caused to this state is undeniable and I think many (residents) have finally had enough.”

With Madigan now at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which payments and perks where allegedly steered to the state’s longest-serving lawmaker in exchange for his support of certain legislation, voters have now taken to protesting outside of Madigan’s home in hopes that he walks away.

Protesters have included members from several advocacy groups, including the Sunrise Movement's Chicago chapter, which chided Madigan with chants of "no dirty energy" and banners that said: "No dirty energy, no dirty money."

The demonstrations come as Madigan is also under investigation by a special bipartisan state House committee recently convened to delve into his recent conduct to determine if any disciplinary actions are warranted on the part of lawmakers.

While Madigan has known scandal many times before during his roughly five decades in Springfield, Marter said he senses this time things are different.

“I think it’s different this time because of the indictments, because the feds are openly involved, and because everyone knows he has practically every Democrat in his back pocket,” Marter added. “I think this is the most pressure he’s faced at any time in his career.”

Through it all, Marter, who formerly ran as a Republican for the U.S. House in the 14th Congressional District and now serves as Kendall County Republican Party chairman, warns voters are going to have to take control to see the change they want to come.

“I think he’s going to have to be shown the door,” Marter added. “I don’t think he’s going to walk away on his own. The voters are going to have to send him packing and the feds definitely need to be part of the Springfield cleanup.”