Michael Madigan announced this morning, Thursday, February 18, 2021, he would resign at the end of the month, a little more than a month after he was deposed by fellow Democrats as the nation’s longest-serving statehouse speaker.
In a statement, the embattled 78-year-old lawmaker lashed out at his critics as he sought to defend his actions during his 36-year reign as House speaker.
“It’s no secret that I have been the target of vicious attacks by people who sought to diminish my many achievements lifting up the working people of Illinois. The fact is, my motivation for holding elected office has never wavered. I have been resolute in my dedication to public service and integrity, always acting in the interest of the people of Illinois,” he said.
The issues surrounding Madigan came to a head on January 13th, with the inauguration of a new General Assembly. Madigan was unable to round up the necessary 60 votes from fellow House Democrats to win another term as speaker. Democrats elected state Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch to replace him.
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