Metro East Sun

Republican state House hopeful Amy Elik wants to see more Democrats in Springfield choose country over party when it comes to longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“While some Democrat lawmakers have rightfully called into question Speaker Madigan's behavior many, such as (state Rep.) Monica Bristow, simply have refused to comment and continue to dodge the issue,” Elik told the Metro East Sun. “It takes courage to do what is right, and what is right is for the General Assembly to fully and properly investigate Speaker Michael Madigan.”

In a year in which four Springfield Democrats have been indicted on corruption related charges, the committee was formed at the insistence of House Minority Leader Jim Durkin after Madigan was implicated in an ongoing federal probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme.

The six-member bipartisan committee is made up of three GOP lawmakers (state Reps. Tom Demmer of Dixon, Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst and Grant Wehrli of Naperville) and three Democrats (state Reps. Emanuel “Chris” Welch of Hillside, Elizabeth Hernandez of Cicero and Natalie Manley of Joliet). A majority vote is needed for the probe to proceed to the next stage – a new committee empowered to determine potential sanctions that would then be voted on by the entire House. A two-thirds majority would be required for any discipline to be taken against Madigan, which could include expulsion.

Elik, who is running against incumbent Bristow in the 111th District, said she plans to keep close watch as the dominoes continue to fall.

“With the special investigative committee meeting this week, it is my hope that Speaker Madigan will be brought forth to answer the troubling allegations that have surfaced,” she said.

However, she won’t be holding her breath for the proceedings to bring about the kind of changes she feels are needed in Springfield all by themselves.

“The culture won't change until the leadership changes,” she said when Democrats recently proposed their own package of reform measures. “The Democrats who are proposing these reforms can't even mention Madigan by name.”