By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News
(CHICAGO) Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says he does not think that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan should continue as State Democratic Party chairman. Madigan has been under fire for his response to harassment complaints in his political organization. This morning Quinn, a Democrat who wants to succeed Madigan’s daughter Lisa as Illinois Attorney General, told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” that Madigan should step down as party chairman.
“Well, I don’t think he should be the chairman of the Democratic Party”, said Quinn. ” As a matter of fact I think the voters in the primary ought to have a chance to vote for the chairman of the Democratic Party. I believe it term limits. I’ve been passing petitions for that over the years. I think reasonable term limits are needed for everybody and that includes running for Governor and Attorney General.”
In the March 20th Democratic Primary election, Quinn is in a battle with seven other Democrats who want to succeed Lisa Madigan as the state’s top legal officer. Quinn told WLS he is uniquely qualified for the job because of his years of public service.
“You know I started the Citizen Utility Board with a petition and referendum campaign quite awhile ago. It’s Illinois’ largest consumer group. It takes on the big utilities. That’s really what the Attorney General should do all the time. Make sure that consumers are always protected from unfairness. I believe in petition and referendum and I think that’s something we need in Illinois to get stronger ethics laws.”
A recent poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale showed Quinn in second place in the Attorney General’s race behind State Senator Kwame Raoul, who had 22 percent support to Quinn’s 18 percent.
None of the other six candidates had more than 5 percent support.
Quinn served as Illinois Lieutenant Governor under Rod Blagojevich and was elevated to the office of Governor after the 2009 impeachment of Blagojevich. He was elected to a four year term in 2010 and then lost the Governor’s race to Bruce Rauner in 2014. Quinn also served as Illinois State Treasurer in the 1990’s.
@ 2018 WLS-AM News
