Quincy Reporter

Quincy conservative activist Mecki Kosin has waited longer than she cares to remember for the moment she thinks Springfield now finds itself in.

“I’m really thinking this could be the end for Mike Madigan as House speaker,” Kosin told the Quincy Reporter. “I think this ComEd scandal is far from over and we’ll be seeing more indictments from it, maybe even of Madigan himself.”

In any case, Kosin is convinced after roughly four decades that Madigan’s days in Springfield are numbered.

At the same time that the longtime House speaker is vowing to seek another term, more and more Democrat lawmakers are anxiously distancing themselves from him as fallout from the ongoing ComEd scandal and federal corruption probe it has sparked continues to play out. The latest shoe to drop includes the indictment of four individuals with ties to Madigan, including longtime associate and lobbyist Michael McClain, who now faces bribery charges stemming from a years-long, pay-to-play scheme in which perks were allegedly steered to Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation.

As more of the findings from the probe have become public, well over a dozen House Democrats have now emerged to insist they have no intentions of supporting Madigan for another term when the legislature reconvenes for the new General Assembly on Jan. 13. Madigan needs at least 60 votes to secure another term as speaker. To date, most estimates have him with no more than 55 votes with even Gov. J.B. Pritzker joining the chorus of those demanding answers about ComEd from him

“When your own crew is coming out  against you it’s clear things are getting serious,” said Kosin, who nonetheless warned nothing can be taken for granted in the fight for real reform.

“Everything in Springfield needs to be looked at and we have to remember ousting Madigan is just the start,” she said. “We also have to be careful not to allow anyone to gain this level of control again. For too long, Mike Madigan has had absolute control in Springfield.”