East Central Reporter

The findings in a new WBEZ report affirm for state Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) everything he’s always maintained about House Speaker Mike Madigan’s influence on Springfield.

“I tell people we don’t have one-party rule in Illinois; what we have is one-man rule and the person in charge is Mike Madigan,” Miller told the East Central Reporter. “Even Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker is just another pawn to be played in his game.”

According to WBEZ, over the first 18 months of his administration Pritzker has made at least 35 hires from a so-called “clout list” compiled by Madigan.

“It tells you that pay-to-play is alive and well in Illinois,” Miller added. “Some of the things I’ve witnessed, you’d have to see to believe. The thing with so much political theater is you can’t listen to what’s being said as much as watching what’s going on with what’s being done.”

Miller argues saying one thing and doing another has become par for the course among Democrat lawmakers in Springfield.

“It’s always business as usual all the time,” Miller added.  “For far too many of the people in Springfield that are supposed to be there doing what’s in the best interest of the people, all that seems to matter is getting reelected , climbing the letter doing what most benefits them and their party.”

Under Pritzker and despite all the things he said about cleaning up corruption in Springfield, Miller argues that things may have actually gotten worse on his watch.

“In my time in Springfield, the culture of corruption has actually gotten worse and is showing no signs of improving,” he said. “I’m hoping the voters of Illinois will step forward in November to do for themselves what’s need to be done to start the reforms.”