Rep. Michael Madigan (D) has been Speaker of the Illinois House for more than 30 years and some lawmakers think that’s just too long, helping fuel dysfunction in Springfield.

A new bill would limit the years any member could serve as House Speaker, Senate President, or in the minority leader positions. Sponsors say the change would ensure no one person accumulates total power in state government.

“Whoever controls the House, controls every piece of legislation that goes through it,” said Rep Tim Butler (R-87th). “I think it’s important to have turnover at those positions with new ideas and hopefully leads to a little more cooperation if we have turnover at those positions.

The bill is different from calls to put term limits on all lawmakers. Leaders could still remain in the state capitol even if their leadership term ended. It would just limit their role in leadership to eight years.