Sangamon Sun

For GOP gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan, the recently announced indictment of former House Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan is long overdue, and the former speaker’s influence is still felt across the state.

Sullivan underscored that Madigan abused his various roles for his own self-interest. The former speaker was indicted on federal racketeering and bribery charges announced by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John R. Lausch Jr.

“The announcement of this indictment of former Democrat House Speaker Michael Madigan has been a long time coming,” Sullivan said in a statement. “Madigan is the very face of Illinois corruption. He leveraged his position as House speaker to gain new business for his property tax firm. And he orchestrated a pay to play scheme with ComEd, diverting thousands of dollars to his favorite lobbyists to gain his support for legislation in Springfield.” 

In a series of papers and documents revealed as part of the investigation, Madigan was known as "official A." He and former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist and Quincy native Michael McClain have been accused of running a racketeering ring involved in a $150 million bribery scandal.

“At a time when Gov. J.B. Pritzker is using taxpayer money to remove a patronage watchdog over his administration, we are reminded once again that career politicians and political insiders cannot be trusted to have the best interests of Illinoisans at heart,” Sullivan said. “Now more than ever, we need to elect a political outsider to clean up the Springfield swamp, and to return power to the people of our great state.”

In a statement announcing the indictment, the Department of Justice noted Madigan was indicted on "racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates."  

"Corruption by an elected official and his associates undermines the public’s confidence in our government," said Lausch, who filed the indictment. “The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful private gain. Rooting out and prosecuting the kind of corruption alleged in the indictment will always be a top priority for this office.”

Madigan, 79, held power for 36 years as House speaker. He resigned on Feb. 18, 2021, months after his and McClain’s operation was discovered to have funneled $150 million in bribes through ComEd. ComEd itself was investigated under the federal racketeering RICO law until it signed a plea worth $200 million.

Madigan has continued as a senior partner with Madigan and Getzendanner, a law firm specializing in property tax adjustments. For years, Madigan was also criticized for his role in that firm for its close ties to other prominent Democrats, including former Cook County Assessor and Cook County Democratic Party Chair Joe Berrios.