David Krupa argues House Speaker Mike Madigan can run but not hide.
“I think he will be indicted before Christmas,” Krupa told Chicago City Wire. “I think he knows the game is almost over and he won’t be House speaker for much longer,”
Krupa is adamant nothing Madigan can do will change that dynamic, including Illinois legislative leaders moving to cancel this month’s fall veto session by citing rising COVID-19 infection rates. Not long after the announcement, staffers from Madigan’s office went public with claims that they have the backing of a “strong majority” of House Democrats.
Krupa counters he can see the handwriting on the wall in other ways.
“People around him are being indicted in droves,” he added. “Madigan is the only one left to be indicted and I think that’s just a matter of time.”
The state’s longest-tenured lawmaker, Madigan now finds himself at the center of a still evolving federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where all the perks were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.
To date, Krupa, who previously ran for Chicago alderman, said he thinks Democrats in Springfield have been lax in holding Madigan completely accountable.
“Given all we’ve heard, I don’t think their response has been strong enough,” he said. “Gov. Pritzker tried to get out in front of things by asking him to step down because I think he could see what was happening, but it’s mostly been a dog and pony show. Hopefully more Democrats will vote for the person challenging him as speaker. I think that would be a strong message to send to any corrupt official.”
In the meantime, Krupa said residents are being forced to pay the price.
“They’re being forced to put their lives on hold and suffer while the political elites are able to go on as if nothing has changed,” he said.
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