Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) said she worries about what Mike Madigan could mean for Illinois now that House rules no longer bind him.

"I'm elated that he's gone, but we have to remember he's still sitting on millions as Illinois Democratic Party chairman and don't know how he may choose to make use of that now that he's probably pretty angry," she told the DuPage Policy Journal. "Even now that he's gone, I don't think we can just completely forget about him. I definitely think he still wants to have a major presence."

Just weeks after being replaced as House speaker following nearly a 40-year run, Madigan said on Feb. 18 that he would resign from his District 22 seat.

Madigan's resignation also comes as calls for him to step aside grew after being linked to a federal corruption investigation. ComEd, the state's largest utility, paid a $200 million fine related to the Justice Department investigation but admitted no wrongdoing. Federal authorities have not charged Madigan, and he admits to no wrongdoing.

Grant believes that Madigan's influence will remain within the House, given the Chicago Democrat's long run leading the legislative body.

"The new rules of the House tell us not much has changed," she said. "Nothing about the new rules help Republicans in terms of our voices being heard, or are proposals being seriously considered for passage."

Madigan's reign as speaker came to an end in January, with Hillside Democrat Emanuel "Chris" Welch voted in as his replacement.

As many as 19 Democrats had vowed not to support Madigan's reelection campaign as the ComEd probe continued to unfold.

Grant said she never thought that Madigan would hang around to serve out the remainder of his term.

"I'm not surprised in the least to see this happen," she said. "I just didn't see how he would be content with just being a legislator in name. Beyond that, I think he's a lot more concerned about this federal investigation than he lets on and maybe wanted to get out of the spotlight."