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Area Republican legislators are pleased to see former House Speaker Michael Madigan going to federal prison and fined $ 2.5 million on convictions for bribery and wire fraud.

State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) says, although this is a step in the right direction for rooting out corruption in Illinois, the do-nothing Democrats refuse to take any real action that would stop this from happening again.

“Madigan’s hand-picked successor still operates under the Madigan Way, and the stain of corruption will hang over the corrupt Illinois Democrats as long as they refuse to work with Republicans on real solutions to end public corruption.”

State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) says Madigan’s years of using his position for power and personal gain have caused irreparable damage to Illinois that is still being felt today.  No amount of jail time will fix that.

“While I’m appreciative of the federal government’s work to bring him to justice and hold him accountable for his years of corruption, unfortunately, Madigan is just one man.  His enterprise was enabled by those who supported him, along with those who were all too willing to look the other way, many of whom are still in positions of power in state government today.  The culture of corruption that he once oversaw continues to flourish.  Until that changes, the people of Illinois will still suffer the consequences.”

State Senator Terry Bryant (R-Murphysboro) adds justice has been served today, but the work to clean up Springfield is far from over.