Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Terms limits for Illinois?

The Illinois legislature will never vote for term limits, but what about if the People called for a referendum and put a limit of five two-year terms on Illinois State Representatives and Senators, with at least four years' waiting if they decide they want back on the gravy train.

Is there a chart somewhere that lists the names of Representatives and Senators in the order of years served (and I used that term loosely) in Springfield?

Speaker Mike Madigan (D-22 (6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago)) has had his mitts on his seat since January 1971. That's 42 years. FORTY-TWO YEARS. And how long has he been Speaker? 27 years? From his bio on his state website: "House Majority Leader, 80th and 81st General Assemblies; House Minority Leader, 82nd and 89th General Assemblies; Speaker of the House, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 86th, 87th, 88th, 90th, 91st, 92nd, 93rd, 94th, 95th, 96th, 97th and 98th General Assemblies"

How much responsibility should be laid at his doorstep for the financial mess that Illinois is in today? Near bankruptcy. The pension crisis. The state government crisis. The schools. The crime. Concealed carry.

It would take a huge effort to send him packing into retirement. But it could happen. It would take a lot of people (Republicans and Democrats) to walk his 22nd District and knock on every door to tell residents and voters just what has happened to Illinois under the Madigan Reign. And a credible candidate has to run against him, but maybe you don't even have to live in that district.


1 comment:

James said...

"Is there a chart somewhere that lists the names of Representatives and Senators in the order of years served (and I used that term loosely) in Springfield?"

If not I'm sure they can implement a system as they seem to be able to do it to stick it to us at every opportunity they have. But like everything else our 'leaders' do; when there's a will there is no way!