Speaker should step aside

It is widely known that our speaker of the house is the most powerful legislator in Illinois history. He has been a legislator for over 40 years and speaker for nearly three decades. Many believe with his power to redistrict and dole out money to the party, he is more powerful in influencing policy, legislation, and elections than any other person in Springfield including past and present governors.

If that is true, isn’t it logical then to conclude his actions have contributed largely in shaping the current state of Illinois? Of course it’s true.

We must get new leadership in Illinois. His peers fear him, and they go along with everything he wants or does in fear of severe retribution. What is the current state of the state then?

Of all the states, we are nearly last in job creation, have the largest unfunded pension liabilities, nearly the largest budget deficit, top of the list in failing schools, and top of the list in bonded indebtedness. Past leadership has led this state down a pathetic path of destruction. Please, Mr. Madigan, step aside and let someone else try to lead us out of this pathetic mess.

Leo A. Dietrich

Lake Villa