CHICAGO – House Speaker Mike Madigan, who is commonly identified as Official A in an extensive federal investigation, had four of his closest political associates plead "not guilty" today in front of a federal court judge.
Madigan has yet to be charged in the Commonwealth Edison bribery scheme being investigated by the US States Attorney for Northern Illinois.
The four facing prosecution include longtime Madigan associate Mike McClain, former Com Ed head Anne Pramaggiore, John Hooker, and former City Club Chairman Jay Doherty – all will face trial beginning in March 2021.
In light of this growing investigation, Republican State Rep. Amy Grant called for Madigan to resign from his State House seat.
"As ‘Public Official A’ in the government’s sprawling case, Speaker Madigan is clearly at the epicenter of the U.S government’s corruption probe," Grant said in a statement. "It’s past time for Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan to resign; not just from the Speakership, but also from the House of Representatives."
Fifteen Democrats have stated they will not support Madigan for speaker in January. If that number holds firm, Madigan will likely not be re-elected as House Speaker.
