Is Mike Madigan's Power in the General Assembly Waning?

SPRINGFIELD – The only can to get kicked down the road last week was Mike Madigan’s.

For three decades, Madigan has been Illinois’ most powerful politician.

Governors come and go.

Madigan stays.

In the history of the United States, no one has led a state legislative body longer than Mike Madigan.

No one.

He is the personification of the old-time political boss. He demands adherence from legislators and in return doles out campaign cash, committee assignments and if they are really good he might even allow their legislation to be voted upon.

He’s a shrewd, calculating individual who rarely loses.

In fact, “Never bet against Mike Madigan” has become perhaps the most repeated axiom at the Illinois statehouse in the many years I’ve been in Springfield.

What Mike Madigan really wants, he gets.

Reporters, lawmakers and other political insiders were left rolling their eyes Wednesday night when Madigan claimed to have never pressured anyone to vote a particular way...

Read the rest of this op-ed at Reboot Illinois-->