Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois congressional candidate Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is vowing to continue to be a thorn in the side of longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

“The scams that are run on those without political clout in this state are obscene,” Ives said in a recent press release. “We can either have leaders who protect against abuse or we can have leaders who protect abusers. Because we can’t count on political leaders in this state to do the right thing, fortunately in Illinois, federal law enforcement is on the job cleaning up some of this malfeasance.”

Ives argues that the so-called Madigan way can be summed up in his ongoing dealings with former associate Kevin Quinn. According to the Chicago Tribune, more Madigan associates were behind the steering of $30,000 in ComEd contracts to Quinn after he was forced out of the organization following allegations of sexual harassment made by a female campaign worker.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago)

“Nobody should be surprised that Mike Madigan’s friends took care of his political stooge using other people’s money,” Ives, a former state representative and Republican candidate for governor now running for U.S. Congress in the 6th District, said. “No bills pass without Madigan’s approval. No company is more politically connected and gotten their way in Springfield more than ComEd and Exelon.”

And then there’s Quinn, who Ives said was a fixture in the Madigan Machine for almost two decades.

“For over 17 years, Kevin Quinn went on and off the state payroll over and over again,” Ives said. “He spent half the year working for the state, and the other half working for Madigan’s Democratic campaigns.”

Quinn’s troubles started in 2018 as the #MeToo movement was felt throughout state government.

“At that time, I called for the Speaker to step down over Quinn and other allegations that showed systemic sexual harassment in his office,” Ives said. “As the #MeToo movement rocked Springfield, I was also one of the only legislators to publicly stand with women who came forward about their claims of sexual harassment. And, I filed legislation that would give rights to complainants of sexual harassment or other violations of the ethics act.”

Ives says it is no wonder that ComEd has been willing to jump on board with whatever Madigan proposes. Since 2011, she estimates that the corporation has seen at least $20 billion in rate hikes stemming from its association with Madigan.

“This includes the $2.4 billion bailout of parent company Exelon in 2016, even though the company had posted $2.25 billion in profits the previous year,” Ives said. “Bailouts like that only get through with Madigan’s support. I voted against it and I publicly spoke out against it. Ruling-class scams have to be brought to an end. As a congresswoman, I promise to call out the scams in the Washington swamp just like I did as a state legislator.”