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With Madigan out, now is the time to reform the House Rules
With Madigan out, now is the time to reform the House Rules The House Rules allowed Madigan to accumulate unprecedented power in the Illinois speaker’s office and helped enable a culture of corruption in Springfield. With Madigan out, reformers have a shot at changing the House Rules.
After more than three decades as speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Michael Madigan’s own caucus voted him out of the office following a series of corruption indictments alleging a scheme to bribe the long-time Democratic leader. Madigan turned the office of speaker into one of the most powerful in the state, leaving behind a legacy of corruption.
Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 The Illinois Policy Institute has some House rule change ideas. I agree with some, disagree with others, partially agree on a couple. But, interestingly enough, there’s almost no mention of the Senate’s rules, which are nearly identical to the House’s except for term limits, and the new House rules would change that provision, too. Apparently, it’s fine that the Senate has this rule but it’s not nearly enough when it comes to the House…
Like the Senate, the Illinois House Rules should limit the term of the speaker to no more than five General Assemblies, so the state does not have to see generations pass without a change in leadership. There is cause for optimism on this front: term limits for legislative leaders is one reform that made it into the recently proposed House Rules resolution. It’s an important step, but all of the above reforms should be considered to truly ensure that the legislative process is fair.