Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) is pressing voters to sign a petition rejecting what he views as longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan’s (D-Chicago) latest blatant act of selfishness.
“Mike Madigan is selling his candidacy for Speaker with the promise of another tax increase on Illinois families,” Ugaste told The McHenry Times. “Why should Illinoisans trust Madigan with more of their hard earned money?”
Just weeks after the progressive tax proposal he and Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) tried selling to voters as only a tax on Illinois' richest residents was soundly rejected at the ballot box. Madigan recently told members of the House Black Caucus it is “very possible” to raise the state’s flat income-tax rate should the governor again seek to.
Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva)
| File Photo
Madigan now finds himself in an increasingly tough reelection battle after being implicated in an ongoing federal corruption investigation involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where all the perks were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.
In addition, a Special House Committee panel was also recently convened to look into some of Madigan’s most suspect behavior to determine if any sanctions up to possible expulsion are warranted.
With Illinois State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) having emerged as his biggest challenger, and at least 19 democratic lawmaker having vowed not to support his reelection effort, Madigan made his tax pledge as part of an effort to secure the 60 votes needed for another term.
Meanwhile, Ugaste sees it all as just another example of why Madigan needs to go.
“We cannot continually go back to Illinois taxpayers and job creators to solve the self-inflicted troubles facing our state,” Ugaste said. “It is time for change.”
Among the four individuals recently indicted was longtime Madigan pal and lobbyist Michael McClain, who counts bribery among the charges he faces.
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