By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – House Speaker Michael Madigan was re-elected Monday to his position as head of Illinois’ Democratic Party, as expected.
Madigan received the endorsement of Illinois’ Democratic committee to head the state’s dominant political party, a position the speaker has held since 1998.
This makes him not only the longest-serving legislative leader in American history but also the longest-serving head of a major political party in Illinois history, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
No one else in the country concurrently holds those same respective positions.
In recent months Madigan has faced criticism from his own party for his mishandling of reports of sexual harassment within the General Assembly and within the Democratic Party itself.
Illinois’ Democratic candidates for governor were, save now-nominee J.B. Pritzker, were all openly critical of the speaker’s dual role within the party.
“I’ve called for Mike Madigan to step down as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois,” said State Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston during a debate.
Scott Drury was the only Democratic state Representative not to vote for Madigan as speaker and called for his resignation on the House floor after allegations of sexual harassment in his ward became public.
“It is time to call on Speaker Madigan to step down as the leader of the House because he is not worthy of that position,” he said in February.
Neither Biss nor Drury would respond to calls about Madigan’s election.
When the time came for the actual vote, he received near unanimous support. Fourteenth District Committeeman Peter Janko, a newly-elected progressive, was the sole vote against the speaker’s re-election.
The speaker took the opportunity to move ahead with plans to have all party members undergo sexual harassment training, but he said his first priority is the ouster of freshman Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in November.
“Now is the time to come together so that we can elect J.B. Pritzker as the governor of the state of Illinois,” he said.
Congressman Danny Davis, a Chicago Democrat in office since 1993, nominated Madigan. Davis said the speaker was largely responsible for the election of the first black president and Carol Moseley-Braun, the first black female U.S. Senator.
“At this stage of the game, I want to see committeeman Mike Madigan be re-elected,” he said.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly, D-Chicago, said she was surprised that the speaker asked her to nominate him. While she did praise the speaker’s efforts against Rauner, she made it clear she wasn’t entirely satisfied.
“It’s not a secret that change needs to happen,” she said. “We need to make sure that we’re respecting every man and woman that has anything to do with this organization.”
