A new ad from the Get Illinois Right PAC details a “scheme” longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) uses to keep his leadership role.
According to the video, on YouTube, Madigan funds the campaigns of Democratic House candidates in exchange for two key votes they agree to make once the next legislative session starts.
One vote re-elects Madigan to the speakership, despite his 21 percent approval rating among Illinoisans, the video states.
The second vote approves Madigan’s rules for the legislative process, guaranteeing him say over which bills make it to a floor vote.
Madigan is allowed to do this because of a loophole in campaign finance laws, according to the ad. While individual contributions max out at $3,000, a party leader can contribute unlimited amounts to candidates.
“So Madigan recruits candidates by lining their pockets,” the ad says. “So why would a candidate listen to individual citizens’ calls to oust Madigan when individual contributions max out at just a few thousand dollars?”
Despite what candidates promise on the campaign trail, Madigan decides what proposals advance to a vote.
“You see, Madigan spends a lot of time promoting candidates and all the good things they say they’re going to do, but after they win he only invests in ensuring they will grow his power,” the ad explains. “He knows what you want to hear in campaigns and he makes sure you hear it from those who’ll rotate right back to him once they’re in office.”
The Madigan scheme has been in play for nearly 40 years, the ad points out: “76-year-old Mike Madigan has been in the state Assembly since Nixon was in office, bankrupting the state while lining pockets.”
The ad closes by urging voters to find out if their candidates are part of this alleged pay-to-play scheme.
“Don’t be misled,” the ad warns. “Vote against the continuing decline of our state. Vote against Mike Madigan rules.”
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