Metro East Sun

Illinois has lost the right to call itself a democratic society due to the policies of House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), state House candidate Dwight Kay said during a recent interview.

“He has been able to buy seats all over the state,” Kay told the Metro East Sun. “And when he buys seats, he also buys his speakership in the General Assembly. What we have right now is one man who controls all the legislation passed in Illinois.”

Kay, running against Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in Illinois’ 112th District, points to a recent Illinois Policy Institute report that finds Madigan has contributed nearly $15 million to the campaigns of approximately 60 current legislators as an example of the way he elects to govern. In every instance, each of the lawmakers involved has also voted in favor of Madigan maintaining his position as House speaker.

Rep. Katie Stuart

“It fits the mold of the way he’s frequently and freely operated for the last 20 years, even more openly over the last three or so election cycles,” Kay said. “You’ve got some races here that are being funded at levels you see for congressional campaigns.”

Kay noted that Stuart has received around $1 million from Madigan during her time in office.

“She and all the rest who are getting that kind of money from him are doing so contingent on voting for him as Speaker,” Kay said. “Every candidate gets funding, but to have the kinds of contributions Madigan is providing is unprecedented for house races.”

Besides being the longest-serving House speaker in history, Madigan also serves as chairman of various campaign committees, giving him access to even more cash and resources, according to IPI.

Kay said he has already signed his name to the “People’s Pledge,” which includes a vow to never cast a vote for Madigan as House Speaker.

“It’s something that everybody in Springfield should have done years ago,” he said. “For the good of the people, no one should be allowed to serve in the general assembly for more than eight years.”

As it is, too much money is being allowed into politics for the good of democracy, Kay said.

“Money taints democracy, and it taints elections,” he said. “No one votes based on facts anymore, it’s all based on fiction and that’s not the way democracy is supposed to work.”

Illinois’ 112th District includes Bethalto, Caseyville, Fairmont City, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, Shiloh and Swansea.