Mike Madigan’s replacement Edward Guerra Kodatt steps down after just 3 days, Angelica Guerrero Cuellar named as new successor

CHICAGO (WLS) – Two days after being sworn in, the man who replaced Mike Madigan as state representative has resigned.

Now things have gone from bad to worse for Edward Guerra Kodatt. Faced with pressure to resign as state representative, he has resigned and will not be rehired from his post until he works in the 13th Ward service office of Alderman Marty Quinn.

On Sunday, Kodatt made his pitch for the post of state representative, saying, “It’s surreal for me to be here before you today to humbly ask for your support.”

Kodatt was sworn in as Mike Madigan’s chosen replacement in the 22nd District on Sunday. Now things have gotten more surreal and more humiliating. He resigned Tuesday night with immediate effect under pressure from Madigan after Madigan learned of what he called “suspected suspicious conduct” by Kodatt.

In a statement, Madigan and Alderman Marty Quinn said “we are committed to a zero tolerance policy in the workplace,” but they did not say what the conduct was.

ABC7 knocked on Kodatt’s door at his house on the southwest side and called him, but he did not respond to our request for comment.

The whole situation raised questions from critics about the process behind Kodatt’s appointment and how it was handled by Madigan.

“It is a great disappointment that he had the only chance and 50 years to redeem himself and he played politics as he always does, without even controlling this individual, it is an excruciating process and an excruciating mistake that he did, ”said Jose Torrez, Coalition to Change Illinois 3rd District.

Madigan has now scheduled another committee meeting on Thursday. This time around, he plans to name Angelica Cuellar, a community services manager who received the second biggest support on Sunday. She had been appointed by Alderman Sylvana Tabares.

“Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a situation that could have been avoided. We could have avoided this if we had followed a thorough process,” Ald said. Sylvana Tabares, 23rd district.

She said there was a lot of mistrust in her community.

“I’m not the only one who is frustrated,” Tabares said. “The residents of the neighborhood are very frustrated, they have simply lost faith in the political process.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker weighed in on the issue on Wednesday afternoon.

“Well, let’s be clear, the system of replacing a representative or a senator has been in place for some time, and I think it is worth revisiting,” Pritzker said.

Even though he was only a state representative for three days, according to state law, Kodatt is entitled to a full month’s salary – nearly $ 5,800.

Ald. Tabares said she would urge Kodatt not to accept the money.