Mike Madigan has a reputation of being a bit of a conservative-leaning curmudgeon when it comes to public policy. But in an action today, he once again has tapped a leading liberal to act as his top legislative lieutenant.

The House speaker chose Greg Harris, an openly gay lawmaker from Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, to be House majority leader. He'll succeed Barbara Flynn Currie, who retired from her Hyde Park district after the last election.

Harris was not immediately available for comment, but in a statement, Madigan was quite laudatory.