Quincy Reporter

Conservative activist Mecki Kosin thinks it’s a good thing more Illinois residents now appear to be standing up to longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“I think it’s now or never in terms of turning this state around,” Kosin told the Quincy Reporter. “We’ve either got to stand up for ourselves and say no more or bury our heads in the sand as he drives this state into further decline and bankruptcy.”

With Madigan now at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which payments and perks where allegedly steered to the state’s longest-serving lawmaker in exchange for his support of certain legislation, voters have now taken to protesting outside of Madigan’s home in hopes that he walks away.

Protesters have included members from several advocacy groups, including the Sunrise Movement's Chicago chapter, which chided Madigan with chants of "no dirty energy" and banners that said: "No dirty energy, no dirty money."

The demonstrations come as Madigan is also under investigation by a special bipartisan state House committee recently convened to delve into his recent conduct to determine if any disciplinary actions are warranted on the part of lawmakers.

“He needs to go and from what I hear most people want him gone,” added Kosin. “I’m glad the feds have become involved to help finish the jobs.”

Kosin said she’s convinced this is the most pressure Madigan has faced in his roughly five decades of being in Springfield.

“Some even from his own side of the aisle are finally standing up and speaking out against him like never before,” she said. “I think that tells you just how far he’s gone and just how many people he’s alienated with the way he’s run everything.”