Kankakee Times

The Illinois Policy Institute has announced an upcoming rally opposing Rep. Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) re-election as speaker of the House.

The protest will take place at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Jan. 11. The public is invited to attend.

“Mike Madigan has been the most powerful politician in Illinois for 30 years and Illinoisans are fed up with politics as usual, with the Madigan Way,” Eric Kohn, Illinois Policy marketing manager and rally organizer, said. “We’re holding this rally to amplify taxpayers’ voice and send a message to lawmakers that we don't want them to be the rubber stamp for Madigan's agenda.”

Voters protesting Madigan's reign as speaker will gather at 10 a.m. in the first floor lobby at Sangamon Auditorium at the University of Illinois, 1 University Plaza, MS PAC 292, Springfield. The rally will commence at 11 a.m. and end at noon.

Madigan has held the speaker seat for 31 of his 45 years in the Illinois House. As such, he is often referred to as the "King of Illinois."

While lawmakers have continued to elect him to the speaker position, a Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Paul Simon Public Policy Institute poll reports that nearly two-thirds of voters do not approve of Madigan.

Illinois Policy representatives and the mascot from the Illinois Policy documentary, "Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics.," will be available at the rally for interviews.