Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) is applauding the indictment of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan.
Former federal prosecutor Lahood commended United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John R. Lausch, Jr. and the rest of the grand jury for their hard work delivering the indictment of Madigan.
“The indictment of Michael Madigan is another step in the long process to clean up Illinois corruption,” Lahood posted on Twitter March 3. “Michael Madigan spearheaded Illinois' decline while using the state government to enrich himself personally. The people of Illinois deserve justice.”
Madigan who is named as "official A," in a series of papers and documents, he and former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist and Quincy-native Michael McClain have been alleged of running a racketeering ring involved in a $150 million bribery scandal.
“Starting with Governor JB Pritzker, Madigan's allies in the Illinois Democrat Party will have to answer for why they enabled this corruption for so long that contributed greatly to our state's challenges,” Lahood stated on Facebook.
The indictment released on Wednesday charged Madigan with 22 counts of "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," United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John R. Lausch, Jr., who filed the indictment, said. “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.”
For more than 35 years, Madigan, 79, was seated as the House speaker. He vacated his position on Feb. 18, 2021, months after his and McClain’s operation was disclosed 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.
The former House speaker continued as a senior partner with Madigan and Getzendanner, a law firm that focuses on property tax adjustments. For years, Madigan was also criticized for his role in that firm for its close ties to other well-known Democrats, including former Cook County Assessor and Cook County Democratic Party Chair Joe Berrios.
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