Madigan’s 2016 primary opponent filed a lawsuit alleging the House speaker recruited “sham” candidates in order to dilute opposition.

A lawmaker would only be allowed to serve in the powerful role of Illinois House speaker for a maximum of eight years under a proposed constitutional amendment recently introduced in the General Assembly.

What’s important for Illinoisans to know now is not just whether politically powerful people such as Burke and Madigan broke the law, but how the law itself encourages indecent behavior.

On Jan. 29 the Illinois House of Representatives voted on new House Rules, but none of the new rules addressed the unparalleled power the Speaker of the House is given over the legislative process.

A glut of $10,000-a-head committee chair positions has been a key tool for House Speaker Mike Madigan to maintain power over members.

Madigan has long been criticized for his control of a lucrative law firm specializing in Cook County property tax appeals.

In the end, redistricting reform could come under the dome in Springfield or by clipboards and signatures on street corners. Either way, those efforts are only helped by the governor holding on to his campaign promise.

Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant.

The longtime speaker has held the gavel for 34 of the past 36 years, and maintains procedural powers unheard of in other states.

After sweeping victories for Illinois Democrats in November, Mike Madigan is all but assured an 18th term as speaker of the House of Representatives when new members are sworn in Jan. 9. Madigan has already broken the record for longest-serving state legislative speaker in U.S. history.