Reporter Roundtable: Madigan Suspends House Speaker Campaign

The Illinois General Assembly has been meeting in Springfield since late last week. It’s the first days of session since last May, and they’ve been busy. On the policy front: the Black Caucus’ agenda for racial, economic and criminal justice is getting much of the focus.

Also this year, Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago) could be coming to the end of four decades in power. This week, he suspended his campaign to remain Speaker of the House, but did not withdraw from the race. There’s been a major scandal involving electric utility ComEd and some of Madigan’s closest allies. The company has admitted it tried to influence the speaker, but Madigan has not been charged with a crime and has denied wrongdoing. That, however, may not matter.

The 21st speaks to two reporters from Illinois about these issues and more. 

Guests:

Hannah Meisel, Statehouse Reporter for NPR Illinois

Rick Pearson, Chief Political Reporter for Chicago Tribune

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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