PLAINFIELD–The US Attorney’s Office has announced charges against four of House Speaker Mike Madigan’s allies, naming lobbyist Michael McClain, ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, and former City Club President Jay Doherty in a 50-page indictment released late last night.
In response to these federal bribery charges, State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield)—who was the first sitting lawmaker to call for Madigan’s resignation last December—released the following statement:
Back in 2016, a politically-connected coalition of energy industry players rushed a complicated bill to force electric rate increases throughout Illinois. I was staunchly opposed to this bill, for not due to the enormous scale, but because of the process in which it was passed.
That ComEd bailout bill has remained a key part of this ongoing federal investigation, which today seemingly yielded proof of a complex bribery scheme benefitting Mike Madigan. Over his nearly 50-year reign, Madigan has fed and fostered this culture of corruption; ComEd is just one example.
Mike Madigan’s absolute power in the Illinois House has not benefited our state, but rather hurt our hardworking taxpayers. It is his refusal to allow comprehensive ethics reform or answer to the Special Investigating Committee that makes it clear that Illinoisans deserve better.
I was the first sitting lawmaker to call for Mike Madigan to resign, but after today’s news I will say it again: Mike Madigan must go.
State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) joined Batinick's position.
"It has been obvious for months now that Mike Madigan is at the heart of the corruption scandal involving ComEd. The latest indictments of four allies linked directly to him make it clear beyond any doubt about his involvement,” said Weber. “Since Madigan still refuses to step down, even though the number of House Democrats who have said they will not support him for another term as Speaker has now grown to fifteen, the Special Investigating Committee must be reconvened to take action. The only way to restore any slight notion of trust in Illinois government is for Mike Madigan to go."
State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) agreed.
It is clear that if we are ever going to restore the people’s trust in state government, we must have new leadership in Springfield. The people of Illinois deserve better. The culture of corruption has weakened our statehouse. Whether this is more proof of Mike Madigan’s involvement or not, he has led the House and State Government for years – thus, allowing such a culture to exist.
We need change. I am calling on my colleagues from across the aisle to join the House Republicans in our demand for Speaker Madigan’s resignation.
More to come …
