ILLINOIS POLICY
Madigan’s reign ends as longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history
by Austin Berg
January 13, 2021

Exactly 50 years after first taking his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, today marked the end of the longest reign of any legislative leader in American history. Mike Madigan was denied a 19th term as House speaker. He has held that post for 36 of the past 38 years…This momentous day in Illinois state politics should not be just about a new face. It should be about a new way of doing the people’s business. Commonsense ethics reforms, bringing democracy to the Illinois House through rules reform, and passing pension reform that protects Illinoisans reliant on social services, workers’ retirement security and taxpayers’ pocketbooks all remain as critical today as they were yesterday – no matter who is speaker. But make no mistake: Madigan’s removal from power was a necessary first step to transforming Illinois into a beacon of prosperity that shines across the Midwest. READ MORE