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Speaker Madigan Takes the Digital Plunge

Long-time Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is trying out a new way to connect with voters: the Internet. 

Madigan hasn’t had a Facebook page or website - until now.

Madiganforus.com features the powerful House Speaker and state Democratic Party chairman sporting a plaid shirt and reading to school children.

It’s a rare look for Madigan - who notoriously couldn’t be reached by the governor a few years ago because he didn’t have a cell phone.

When asked why he launched the website now -- Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown pointed out electronic communication has been going on for quite a while.

"It’s an extension of the kind of constituent contact work that Mike Madigan’s done for decades."

In the last few years - Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the GOP has spent millions of dollars in negative ads against Madigan.