West Cook News

Jeffrey Leef isn’t the least bit surprised by growing talk of Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) being in bed with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and the Democratic machine.

“Only in very rare instances has a politician in Illinois won an election without the blessing of Michael Madigan,” he told the West Cook News. “If you then look at career politicians in Illinois, like Rep. Durkin, they are in office because Michael Madigan has allowed them to do so. If they have been given the blessing of Speaker Madigan, then they are likely either literally or figuratively on his payroll.”

Leef said Durkin’s meager resistance to the recently imposed 32 percent permanent tax hike stands out even more when you consider that the majority of his leadership team aligned themselves behind the hike enacted as part of the new $36.1 billion state budget.

House Speaker Mike Madigan

Durkin’s Democratic connections don’t end there, as he is reported to have recently received the financial backing of powerful Chicago Alderman Ed Burke. In recent times, Burke’s Burnham Committee has been known to also make political contributions to such powerful Democratic leaders as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Democrat Cook County Board of Review Member Michael Cabonargi, Democrat Cook County Commissioner and top Madigan aide Ed Moody and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

“As I have said time and time again, change can only be implemented by the voter,” said Leef, who is running against U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a Chicago Democrat, in the 7th Congressional District. “If the voters find his behavior and the litany of other Illinois politicians in question, vote him out. It's time for voters to demand honesty in their elected officials.”

Leef said he is convinced voters should also send Durkin packing as GOP House minority leader, but knows that task is much easier said than done.

“This will only occur if it is green-lighted by Madigan and a suitable ‘caporegime’ has been chosen,” he said.

The 7th Congressional District includes much of the West Side of Chicago and parts of Bellwood, Broadview Maywood, Oak Park, Westchester and River Forest.