Rock Island Today

State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Rock Falls) is liking what she sees from the new Springfield.

“It’s certainly different with Speaker Madigan not being in the chair,” McCombie told WHBF in a video posted to YouTube. “I feel with Speaker (Chris) Welch things are a little more open. We are all cautiously optimistic on my side of the aisle and we have some very ambitious new members on the other side that are quick to make some changes on past negotiated bills. We are actually starting budget talks and we are included this year compared to last year, which is a plus.”

McCombie said she believes Welch brings an element to the table that Madigan had long lost touch with.

“He is listening to our voices and I think that is extremely important,” she added. “He is familiar with the unemployment issues, FOID card issues and the agency issues that we as legislators deal with every day. I think because of that he is more open to hearing our thoughts.”

After nearly four decades of being in power, Madigan was finally shown the door amid an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd where he was implicated in a pay-for-play scheme. Ultimately, Madigan stepped down from 22nd District House seat and was replaced by Welch as House Speaker. 

In the aftermath of all the scandal, a growing number of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle moved to make a major push for ethics reform.

“Certainly, after everything that has happened over the last few months, actually, the last couple of years, the need for ethics reform is vital in Illinois," Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) told KHQA.

Rep. Kathy Willis (D-Northlake) was in total agreement.

“One of the reasons that Speaker Madigan was not selected for another term is because a portion of the caucus wanted change,” Willis added.

McCombie breathes a sigh of relief knowing Welch seems committed to at least one big change.

McCombie said the new speaker recently allowed a rule to be put in a statute that would prevent someone from remaining House Speaker as long as Madigan did. “I know it has given the message that we will never be under a rule for 30, 40, 50 years by one person again. I think he was giving a message to folks on his side, to us and the people of Illinois that he does not think that is a good idea."