The new Illinois General Assembly was sworn in Wednesday. (WJBC File Photo)

By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD - Michael Madigan has been easily re-elected to another term as speaker of the Illinois House, while a newly inaugurated Illinois Senate has chosen John Cullerton president for another two-year term.

The newest General Assembly was sworn into office Wednesday. House lawmakers held their ceremony at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The Senate held its ceremony at the Capitol.

Madigan is a Chicago Democrat who has held the position of House speaker almost continuously since 1983. The exception was a two-year period in the 1990s when Republicans had control of the House.

The 64-year-old Democrat Cullerton was delivered a 40-19 majority over Republicans in the November election. That's the most Democrats elected in the Illinois Senate in at least 120 years.

Republican Tom Cross was re-elected House minority leader and Republican Sen. Christine Radogno was chosen as Senate minority leader.