FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2017 file photo, Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, left, visits with Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, at the Illinois State Capitol, in Springfield, Ill. One of every five lawmakers sworn in to office in 2019 will be new to the Illinois General Assembly. Thirty members of the House and Senate have announced retirement or already left. It's an election year tainted not only by the state budget mess but sparked by the #MeToo anti-sexual harassment movement. It's an election that promises a referendum on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Speaker Madigan and the three years they've spent battling over the budget. (Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP)
The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - One of every five lawmakers sworn in to office next year will be new to the Illinois General Assembly. Thirty members of the House and Senate have announced retirement or already left.
It's an election year tainted not only by the state budget mess but sparked by the #MeToo anti-sexual harassment movement. It's an election that promises a referendum on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and the three years they've spent battling over the budget.
Many candidates are distancing themselves from the political enemies. Alexandra Eidenberg, one of five Democratic candidates for a northwest Cook County seat, touts her independence from Madigan.
She says, "We're going to have a very fresh Legislature."
The first indications of where Illinois is headed come with the March 20 primary.
FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2018 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks at the State Capitol, in Springfield, Ill. One of every five lawmakers sworn in to office in 2019 will be new to the Illinois General Assembly. Thirty members of the House and Senate have announced retirement or already left. It's an election year tainted not only by the state budget mess but sparked by the #MeToo anti-sexual harassment movement. It's an election that promises a referendum on Republican Gov. Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and the three years they've spent battling over the budget. (Rich Saal/The State Journal-Register via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this May 28, 2017 file photo, Illinois State Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, speaks at the State Capitol in Springfield Ill. One of every five lawmakers sworn in to office in 2019 will be new to the Illinois General Assembly. Thirty members of the House and Senate have announced retirement or already left. It's an election year tainted not only by the state budget mess but sparked by the #MeToo anti-sexual harassment movement. It's an election that promises a referendum on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and the three years they've spent battling over the budget. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this June 30, 2016 file photo, Illinois lawmakers appear at the State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. One of every five lawmakers sworn in to office in 2019 will be new to the Illinois General Assembly. Thirty members of the House and Senate have announced retirement or already left. It's an election year tainted not only by the state budget mess but sparked by the #MeToo anti-sexual harassment movement. It's an election that promises a referendum on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and the three years they've spent battling over the budget. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman File)
The Associated Press