South Cook News

Republican state Senate candidate Eric Wallace laments the depths of Springfield Democrats’ corruption runs much deeper than most have come to realize.

“I think it’s a much bigger problem than any other issue we have because there are laws against everything else,” Wallace told the South Cook News. “That’s not true for this corrupt system being run by (embattled House Speaker) Mike Madigan.”

Wallace insists he’s not surprised by the findings in a new University of Illinois at Chicago study that concludes corruption now costs state taxpayers at least $556 million on an annual basis. Over the last two decades, researchers also found the state’s corruption price-tag easily tops $10 billion, or around $830 per resident.

This year alone, at least four state lawmakers have been indicted on corruption charges, adding to the state’s long and sordid political history that includes four governors having been sentenced to prison over the last five decades. Presently, longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan finds himself cast as a central figure in the ongoing federal probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme.

“The key to change starts with ridding ourselves of Madigan,” added Wallace, who is running in the 40th District against Democrat Patrick Joyce. “He’s the kingpin. I believe if you remove him, the dominoes will start to fall and other people may be inclined to do the right thing as they look over their shoulders.”

Wallace adds Madigan has long ruled Springfield with an iron hand – to the detriment of most.    

“He controls the House and the Democrat Party, which is a lot of power,” he said. “In times past, we’ve tried to do some reforms and he just won’t allow it. Nothing like that will ever see a vote in the House as long as he’s in charge.”