Chicago City Wire

Illinois State Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt was appointed to replace former Rep. Mike Madigan in the Illinois Legislature, having 63 percent of the total weighted votes. He was handpicked by Madigan, who held 56 percent of the weighted vote when choosing a replacement. There were 10 contenders for the post.

Kodatt is a Southwest Side resident and had previously worked for Ald. Marty Quinn as infrastructure manager. When asked about how people may view Kodatt because of his working relationship with him, Madigan replied, Kodatt “will stand on his own merits.”

On choosing his replacement, Madigan did not ask any questions from the candidates and let other members of the committee ask them, with Kodatt finally being chosen.

Three days after his appointment, Kodatt resigned. This was due to “alleged questionable conduct” by Kodatt. The alleged misconduct was not specified, but when Madigan was made aware of it, he called for Kodatt to step down, saying in a statement that he and Quinn, “are committed to a zero-tolerance policy in the workplace.”

After his resignation, he won't be rehired by Quinn.

Kodatt was then replaced by Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar.