Metro East Sun

Republican candidate Hal Patton believes that House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) can’t handle the truth.

“Speaker Madigan understands how disliked he is throughout Illinois, but he will stop at nothing to keep power,” Patton told the Metro East Sun. “He and the candidates he supports will lie to the voters about policies they support even though he knows they will never be brought for a vote.”

“No budget, no pay” mailers were recently sent to residents in several neighborhoods where the longtime House Speaker is actively supporting a candidate. The mailers seem to imply that Madigan supports legislation he has long opposed, according to North Cook News (INN).

Rachelle Aud Crowe

Two-years ago Madigan filed suit against then-Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger after she sought to enact a policy to withhold pay for lawmakers if they did not pass a balanced budget.

Recently, a group of GOP legislators, Munger — who is now Gov. Bruce Rauner's deputy governor — and various political candidates held a press conference to expose more of Madigan’s deception.

“If Madigan and (Senate Majority Leader) John Cullerton were serious about passing no budget, no pay legislation they would have passed it during the budget impasse,” said Patton, who is running against Democrat Rachelle Aud Crowe for the 56th Senate District seat. “The state of Illinois was a national embarrassment during the budget impasse. Springfield politicians couldn’t do their job and pass a balanced budget, yet they were still paid. This was a slap in the face to every taxpayer that goes to work every day to make ends meet.”

Patton is running on the Downstate Unity Party ticket and said his work as mayor of Edwardsville speaks to his values and the policies he stands for.

“When I’m at the doors I’m able to talk positively about what we have been able to accomplish in Edwardsville during my five years as mayor,” he said. “We have created over 4,800 jobs and brought over $600 million in new investment to the city. That is in stark contrast to what is happening in the state.”

The 56th Senate District includes Jersey, Madison and St. Clair counties.