NW Illinois News

Dixon Mayor Liandro “Li” Arellano Jr. is counting the days until longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan’s reign comes to an end.

“Madigan’s drive for power above all else is part of why Illinois is struggling both financially and ethically,” Arellano told the NW Illinois News. “That culture is a stain upon our state.”

Arellano will have to wait at least a little while longer now that a federal judge recently ruled in Madigan's favor in a “sham candidate" lawsuit, the origins of which date back to 2016. The controversy began during that year's Democratic primary in the 22nd House District, in which candidate Jason Gonzales challenged Madigan, who has been in power for nearly four decades. 

Dixon Mayor Liandro "Li" Arellano Jr.

Gonzales, who eventually filed suit seeking up to $2 million in damages, alleged that Madigan planted on the ballot two candidates with Hispanic-sounding surnames as a way of lessening Gonzales' potential support base.  

Even as he ruled that “evidence supports a reasonable inference that Madigan authorized or at least was aware of the recruitment effort,” U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly moved to dismiss the case, stating that he was convinced voters knew about the purported trickery prior to casting their votes.  

Attorneys for Gonzales have indicated they plan to appeal the decision.

As for Arellano, he would just like to see the state shake free from Madigan’s seemingly ironclad grip.

"Madigan should have retired years ago and allowed fresh voices to lead the state," Arellano previously told the SE Illinois News.

The last few months have not been an easy time for Madigan, with several close associates and operatives being forced to leave his political organization after being charged with a range of abuses.  

In one instance, a Cook County jury recently subpoenaed city election records related to last February’s 13th Ward election in which Madigan associate Martin Quinn was being challenged by DePaul University freshmen David Krupa. After protesting Krupa’s nominating signatures, Quinn abruptly withdrew his challenge when it was determined most of the signatures Quinn submitted were illegitimate.

From the very onset, Krupa insisted that the challenge was meant to be a form of harassment and an effort to intimidate engineered by both Quinn and Madigan.