Madigan to essentially decide his replacement as state representative

Speaker of the House Michael Madigan (C) presides over The Illinois House of Representatives as they discuss a resolution to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich January 9, 2009 in Springfield, Illinois. The House approved the resolution to impeach 114-1 with one member voting present.
Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan Photo credit Scott Olson/Getty Images

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Anyone who wants to take former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s place in the Illinois General Assembly will have a chance to be heard, but they’d better not waste any time.

Democratic Party officials said selection of a state representative to take the seat Mike Madigan held for 50 years will be open and transparent; but, anyone wanting that job had best be ready to move on it.

The 22nd District Democrats have set this Sunday for a meeting to allow applicants to present their resumes and answer questions, socially-distanced and masked.

The selection is a job that falls to the Central Committee members from the district, which includes four Chicago wards and the Stickney Township. Their influence is weighted by the number of Democratic votes cast in the last election.

Michael Madigan, the party chairman, controls more than half the votes, so the choice, essentially, will be his to make.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images