Kendall County Times

State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) can relate to the anguish felt by voters now camping outside the home of House Speaker Mike Madigan as protests call for his ouster.

“I have publicly called for Madigan to resign,” Oberweis told the Kendall County Times. “There is no question that he has violated the public trust. In many ways, we do not have one-party rule in Illinois, we have one-man rule. I’m clearly in the camp that says Madigan needs to resign.”

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.

Now running against Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in the 14th Congressional District, Oberweis said he is inclined to just let the process play out.

“The FBI is looking into this,” he said. “I do not think it is appropriate for people to gather outside public official’s houses to intimidate them and make their families feel uncomfortable. His grandchildren are not responsible for anything Madigan has said or done. They should not be subjected to protests outside his house.”