South West Illinois News

The Illinois Republican Party released robocalls on Jan. 11 targeting State Rep. Jerry Costello for voting for Mike Madigan to once again be Speaker of the House.

“Costello voted to elect Chicago political boss Mike Madigan for a record 17th term as speaker of the house and extend Madigan’s reign over Illinois,” the robocall said. “No one has done more damage to our state than Mike Madigan – but yesterday, Jerry Costello chose to keep him in charge.”

Costello has represented the 116th District since 2011.

Costello, along with Rep. Brandon Phelps, are the only two Democrats representing an increasingly right-leaning Southern Illinois.

“Southern Illinois is moving more conservative,” State Central Committeeman for the 15th Congressional District Bob Winchester told SW Illinois News. “The Democrats are promoting extreme social issues and the grassroots Democrats don’t like that anymore so they are voting Republican.”

The party is using these calls to get awareness out to the voters about who is representing them.

“[Costello and Phelps] have always been loyal to Madigan but it hasn’t been an issue until now,” Republican County Chairwoman for Hardin County Rhonda Belford said.

According to Winchester, Costello promised his constituents to not support Madigan, then went back on his promise. However, Madigan controls how much money from labor groups, which have supported him, would be allocated to southern counties. For this reason, it is believed many of those who promised not to vote for him switched their position in fear of losing money.

“Some voted with their heads held high but others voted with their head down, ashamed,” Belford said. “Southern Illinois districts aren’t getting money anyway.”

“Costello’s refusal to stand up to boss Madigan makes clear that the only way we will ever get a new speaker is by getting rid of legislators like Jerry Costello in Springfield,” the robocall said.

Madigan, just voted into his 17th term in the role, has been speaker for more than 30 years. He’s been able to maintain control over past governors but has run into opposition since Gov. Bruce Rauner took office in 2015.

“Rauner has a sufficient amount of money to back up his efforts,” Winchester said. “He’s targeting Madigan and Madigan is fighting back so we’re at a standstill.”

The state has suffered because of this standstill and the General Assembly was unable to pass a new budget for several months.

Republicans and a small group of Democrats in the General Assembly started a campaign to elect anyone but Madigan into the role of speaker.

“If ten Democrats could’ve rallied around one Democrat, the Republicans would’ve been willing to support that person and visa versa,” Winchester said.

A temporary budget has been passed and according to Winchester, Madigan sent out a press release claiming he might be willing to work with everyone.

“There seems to be some progress being made between the governor’s office and the speaker’s office but we’ll have to wait and see,” Winchester said.

Despite apparent progress being made, Winchester and Belford hope these calls will make voters think twice about reelecting Costello.