By Nick Gale, WLS-AM 890 News
(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) — Another Republican is stepping down in the state legislature and he is laying the blame on the ongoing feud between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).
In his letter to House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), State Rep. Chad Hays (R-Catlin) says he will not seek re-election in 2018 and points to a changing political climate in Springfield as a contributing factor of his upcoming exit from State politics.
“The functionality of the Illinois General Assembly today is simply untenable and counterproductive,” Hays wrote. “Legislators who care deeply and have the courage of their convictions and the intestinal fortitude to do what is right regardless of consequences are increasingly silenced. I believe we are in serious jeopardy of independent thought being a relic in our public discourse.”
Hays was named to the House Republican leadership team in 2013 and serves as assistant minority leader. A native of Downstate Vermilion County, Hays served as mayor of Catlin for two terms before being elected to the General Assembly.
Last week, Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) announced she was stepping down form her leadership role and leaving the Senate effective July 1.
Copyright 2017 WLS News
