Rockford Sun

Former Republican state Rep. John Cabello is hesitant to prophesize what Mike Madigan’s sudden exit from Springfield could come to mean for Illinois.

“While I think the day he resigned is one of the best days Illinois has had in a long time, I don’t know how much change it’ll really mean,” Cabello told the Rockford Sun.

After nearly four decades of ruling over Springfield and with federal investigators growing more persistent in seeking answers over his alleged role in a pay-for-play scheme involving ComEd, Madigan recently stepped down from his District 22 House seat and as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.

The sweeping changes came just days after he was ousted as House speaker when nearly two dozen Democratic lawmakers refused to support his reelection efforts.

While federal investigators have not charged the Chicago Democrat and the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, at least four individuals with known ties to him have been indicted as part of the ongoing investigation, and ComEd was fined 200 million.

Cabello admits he’s shocked to see things play out the way they have.

“He’s been around for so long I never would have thought the state would be without Madigan,” he said. “He’s not the devil, but I thought maybe he had made a deal with the devil where he would never have to go away.”

As for Welch, Cabello said he came to like the veteran lawmaker during his time in Springfield but admits he doesn’t expect to see much change under his leadership.

“He talks a good game, but I don’t know if he’ll walk the walk,” he said. Until then, credibility is an issue. I’m sure people were hoping there would be more of a change with the new leadership.”