Republican candidates for state representative in the Metro East are stepping up pressure on their Democrat opponents to let voters know whether they'd support the embattled Speaker of the House for another term.
A "No Madigan Pledge" was signed by GOP candidates Amy Elik, Lisa Ciampoli and David Friess, who have been pouncing on incumbent Reps. Monica Bristow (D-Alton), Katie Stuart (D-Collinsville) and Nathan Reitz (D-Red Bud) over their "silence" on troubles facing Speaker and chairman of the state Democratic party Michael J. Madigan.
Federal prosecutors in July announced a scheme by Commonwealth Edison to bribe Madigan for passage of legislation that funneled billions of dollars the electric utility's way. At the time, the U.S. Attorney's office called its investigation “vibrant" and continuing. Last week, ComEd’s former vice president of governmental affairs was charged with bribery conspiracy on allegations he orchestrated the scheme to pay Madigan allies in exchange for the Speaker’s support.
On a Zoom press conference Monday, Elik, a certified public accountant and Foster Township trustee, said the state is "plagued by corruption" and called on Bristow to denounce it.
Bristow, representing the 111th District is finishing her first full term. She was first appointed to the seat to the seat long held by former Rep. Dan Beiser in December 2017. In what was the most expensive Illinois House race in 2018 - $3.4 million - Bristow narrowly defeated Mike Babcock by less than 2,000 votes.
Elik, who has support from the Illinois Republican Party, says that Madigan has given $1.3 million to fund Bristow’s election efforts.
Since July 1, Bristow has received more than $160,000 from Madigan-lead Democrat organizations. Elik's campaign has receive more than $60,000 from state Republican organizations.
“Instead of pushing for ethics reform, my opponent has endorsed Mike Madigan again for Speaker and continues to take his money to fund her campaign,” said Elik. “Our state deserves ethical leadership. Signing this pledge today is a promise to voters I won’t be compliant with the status quo and I will fight for our families here in the Riverbend.”
The pledge taken by the GOP candidates stipulates that as a member of the 102nd General Assembly, they will not vote for Mike Madigan for House Speaker.
Ciampoli, candidate for the 112th House District against incumbent Stuart, said that Madigan's 35 years in office is "enough.”
“We need a new culture in Springfield and this pledge is the start of that change," Ciampoli said. "I urge my opponent, Katie Stuart, to join me in signing this pledge.
Stuart was first elected in 2016, defeating Republican incumbent Dwight Kay. She raised close to $2 million - nearly $1 million was contributed by PACs controlled by Madigan.
In 2018, Stuart again defeated Kay in a race also wasn't as expensive. Stuart took in roughly $900,000, with about a third of that coming from the Democratic Majority and Democratic Party of Illinois.
In the 116th District, candidate Friess challenged opponent Reitz to also sign the No Madigan Pledge.
“It’s clear Speaker Madigan has been the root of the corruption in the statehouse, and he must go,” said Friess. “My pledge today is just one step I have taken to ensure we will achieve better in state government and we will be on the right path forward to the ethics reform we need and our people deserve. I won’t stay silent on corruption like my opponent Nathan Reitz has.”