Mike Madigan has exploited the public trust with his corruption allegations while serving as the Illinois House speaker for nearly four decades. Federal authorities have investigated allegations of bribes in no-work jobs and contracts from Madigan’s relationships with with AT&T, Walgreens and Rush University Medical Center. According to Illinois Policy, Illinois saw 1,978 public corruption convictions from 1983 until 2018, while Madigan was Speaker of the House. From 2000 to 2017, illegal corruption in Illinois cost the state $550 million every year that crushed economic growth.
Fast forward to 2024, Madigan is now on trial and indicted on Federal racketeering and bribery charges. Prosecutors say that he allegedly used his public position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker told jurors this:
“This is a case about corruption at the highest levels of state government. Madigan abused his power and used the organizations he led to engage in a pattern of corrupt conduct over and over and over again.”
As the trial continues, once thing is clear, and that is Madigan abused his position to generate more power and more money. The state of Illinois deserves better and needs to earn the trust back from taxpayers who rely on state government to uphold good moral principles. Read more here.
House Republicans Renew Call for Immediate Ethics Reforms in Illinois
Illinois House Republicans are taking action to address corruption and create stronger ethics reforms. Ethics proposals filed by Republicans include:
- House Bill 4119 – Prohibits elected officials from using political campaign donations to pay for criminal defense.
- House Bill 1277 – Benefit or annuity payments to a member or participant in a retirement system or pension fund shall be suspended if the member or participant is charged with a felony.
- House Bill 4286 – Provides for a three-year revolving door ban on lobbying.
- House Bill 4288 – Requires the Executive and Legislative Ethics Commissions to make reports available within 60 days of receipt.
- House Bill 4289 – Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act to expand the definition of “officials” to include more positions at the local level and expands the definition of “lobbying.”
Read more about Illinois corruption here and how Republicans are fighting to clean up Illinois.