Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) listed the House having a new speaker as a significant accomplishment in January. | Courtesy Photo
Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) listed the House having a new speaker as a significant accomplishment in January. | Courtesy Photo
Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) said that the most significant legislative event in January was appointing a new House speaker who was not Rep. Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).
The Republican lawmaker's comment came in a web post he made recapping highlights during the first month of 2021.
Madigan faced pressure to step down or not seek another term as House speaker after being implicated in a U.S. Department of Justice bribery investigation that also involved ComEd. Federal authorities fined the utility company $200 million for its role, but ComEd did not admit any wrongdoing. Madigan has not been charged with a crime and denied any wrongdoing.
Lawmakers elected Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) as House speaker, making him the first Black legislator to hold the influential position.
"We will soon find out if our new Speaker will truly turn the page or if he will continue ruling from the Book of Madigan," Keicher said.
The House has adjourned, but members will return on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
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