News Local/State

‘The Other Mike Madigan’ Challenges Bennett In 52nd District Senate Race

by Jeff Bossert
 
Urbana Alderman and Senate candidate Mike Madigan (R) debates incumbent Scott Bennett of Champaign on October 5 at the Champaign City Building.

Urbana Alderman and Senate candidate Mike Madigan (R) debates incumbent Scott Bennett of Champaign on October 5 at the Champaign City Building. Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media

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In his first campaign for state office, Republican Mike Madigan seeks to not only distinguish himself from the longtime Democratic House Speaker of the same name, but also tout many of Governor Bruce Rauner’s business reforms. The Urbana Alderman who grew up on a farm southern in Champaign County is challenging Democratic incumbent Scott Bennett for the 52nd District Senate seat.

Known as “the other Mike Madigan”, the restaurant owner and former legislative aide says solutions to the state budget woes start with serious tax reform, reductions in government spending, and reform of worker's compensation in Illinois.

"I don't think we have enough people in the General Assembly who have that type of business experience," he said. "You have to look for efffiencies in the case of government, you need to try to save tax dollars that don't necessarily need to be spent in order to balance the budget. The Democrats have refused to do that."

The 52nd Senate district takes up most of the population of Champaign and Vermilion Counties.

On Thursday, we’ll hear from Senator Bennett, who was appointed to the Senate seat in January 2015 after former senator Mike Frerichs was elected Illinois Treasurer.