Mike Madigan Suspends Campaign For 19th Term As House Speaker

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has suspended his campaign for another term in office without withdrawing from the race, he announced Monday.

"This is not a withdrawal," Madigan said in a statement. "I have suspended my campaign for Speaker."

The speaker's statement came a day after the longtime legislative leader reportedly fell nine votes short of the total needed to secure a 19th term in office in a closed-door vote of House Democrats.

"As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first," Madigan said. “The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”

Starting at noon on Wednesday, a newly seated 102nd Illinois General Assembly will vote on its leaders, a process that could take multiple days if no candidate secures the necessary votes.

There will be 73 Democrats in the upcoming legislative session. Nineteen, mostly north suburban, Democratic state reps have pledged to hold firm in their opposition to Madigan remaining in charge of the House, although they have not endorsed an opponent.

"After meeting the past two days in Springfield, and having had the opportunity to participate in multiple candidate forums in the Speaker’s election, our position has not changed,"the group said in a statement Sunday. "We will not be supporting Michael J. Madigan for Speaker of the Illinois House at any stage of the voting process. It is time for new Democratic leadership in the Illinois House.”

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In the first unofficial ballot, Madigan received 51 votes. Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) received 18 votes. The first candidate to announce a challenge, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego), received three votes. Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) voted present, telling reporters the caucus is not yet at a "viable place," NPR Illinois reported. Two incoming House Democrats joined Madigan's opposition in Sunday's internal roll call. They include Rep.-Elect Suzanne Ness of Crystal Lake and Rep.-elect Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Sokie).

Third Democrat, Rep. Ann Williams, To Challenge Embattled Mike Madigan

"Today's vote makes clear the House Democratic Caucus is ready for a change in leadership," Williams said in a statement after the vote. "I am grateful for the support of so many of my colleagues and will continue to work to earn the support of the rest and unify the caucus."

Last year, ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement involving charges it engaged in a long-running bribery scheme involving jobs and contracts to Madigan associates.

Madigan, referred to as "Public Official A" in court documents, has not been charged with a crime and has denied wrongdoing or knowledge of the bribery scheme. Last year, four former ComEd officials, including Madigan confidant Mike McClain, were indicted on charges of bribery conspiracy, bribery and falsifying the company's books and records.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker addressed the development at a news conference Monday.

"As I have said many times, I will work with whoever the House of Representatives elect as their speaker," Pritzker said. "Choosing the speaker is the sole responsibility of those representatives, and it is clear that the members are taking their choices seriously."

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said Madigan was engaging in misdirection with less than 48 hours to go before new members would be sworn in.

"His latest statement about suspending his bid for Speaker, but not withdrawing, is typical of his style and appears to be another ploy or head fake," Durkin said. "For the sake of the institution, his caucus must demand that he be direct and honest about his intentions — in or out."