Metro East Sun

Newly elected state Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) is short and to the point in voicing her opinion about Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s renewed push to obliterate a federal program set up to monitor state government hiring practices.

“Federal oversight is still needed over state hiring, especially until a comprehensive ethics reform package can be passed,” Elik told the Metro East Sun.

Just days after his progressive tax proposal failed to net the 60% approval from voters needed for passage, Pritzker is back on the offensive, taking steps to have the court-ordered federal oversight of state government hiring mandate laid to rest based on his insistence there is no longer a need for such scrutiny. In a recent court filing, the governor also argued the state has already achieved the objectives set forth by the Shakman Decrees from nearly four decades ago and no longer requires a watchdog to monitor patronage hiring.

Elik isn’t alone among GOP lawmakers in taking a defiant stance against the governor’s actions, with some arguing much of what’s now happening in Springfield speaks volumes about just how off base his push is.

The state’s longest-tenured lawmaker, Madigan finds himself at the center of much of the controversy, including an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where all the perks were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation. At the same time, a special House committee has been convened to look into some of his recent conduct to determine if sanctions are warranted.  

And then, there are the governor’s own troubles, namely the federal investigation looking into him avoiding $331,000 in property taxes by ripping the toilets out of a Gold Coast mansion he owns.

Elik, who knocked off Democrat incumbent Monica Bristow in the 111th District with nearly 55% of the vote, has long argued the only way for real reform to come to Springfield is for Madigan to go.

“Mike Madigan must resign,” she previously told the Metro East Sun. “It is past time for the Democrats in the House to call for his immediate resignation. Their silence is just as damaging as the corruption probe itself.”