Dupage Policy Journal

Naperville City Councilman Kevin Coyne blames former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan for the current situation of the state.

Coyne said in an interview with DuPage Policy Journal, “virtually all of our state's many problems trace directly back to Speaker Madigan.”

The former speaker resigned amidst a cloud of suspicion regarding his alleged involvement in a federal bribery and corruption investigation along with people known to be his close associates.

“Corruption, patronage, and fiscal calamity will be his legacy,” Coyne said.

The investigation drew attention to his position as a high-level member of the Legislature, his words held power.

“For Madigan, it’s not about people. It isn’t about the party. It’s about power,” Adam Schuster said in his commentary article in RealClearPolitics.

Coyne looks forward to a new beginning for the state.

“With his resignation, maybe it will finally be possible for Illinois to start anew. Hopefully, our leaders in Springfield take advantage of this opportunity and start treating the futures of our residents, rather than political gamesmanship, as their priority," the Naperville City Councilman further said.

With Madigan’s resignation, Coyne and other Republicans see a new window of opportunity to pass anti-corruption measures and to not let a single person have control and power over certain decisions.