Once the influential chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party and powerful Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Michael J. Madigan was found guilty of wire fraud, bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery earlier this year and today was sentenced to 7.5 years in a federal penitentiary followed by 3 years probation, and ordered to immediately pay a $2.5 million fine.
Unfortunately for Illinoisans, Madigan’s incarceration does not close the book on corruption in our state. In reality, it is just one more chapter in a never-ending story about abuse of power. In Illinois, it seems, there is always another corrupt politician just around the corner - adding yet another chapter to the book of corruption. More disturbing, those currently in power have done nothing to eradicate the very culture that breeds political corruption, even in the wake of Madigan’s conviction. So, it seems the last chapter may never be written, unless the supermajority Democrats incorporate a new plot twist and take action on ethics reform.
Improving ethical behavior and standards can only happen through strong ethics reform measures that ensure a transparent and accountable government, one people can trust. House Republicans have repeatedly introduced legislation that would strengthen Illinois’ ethics laws and stamp out public corruption. And, year after year, the Democrats have blocked those measures. It is past time for them to end the perpetual story of abuse.
The House Republicans’ role in this ongoing tale is to hold the supermajority Democrat’s feet to the fire when it comes to transparency and accountability. And, to provide workable legislative solutions. When it comes to ethics reform, House Republicans sponsored a host of bills aimed at concluding the chronicles of Illinois corruption. Some of those measures included legislation that would:
- Stop the revolving door for legislators looking to become lobbyists.
- End the practice of sitting legislators serving as lobbyists for municipal and county governments.
- Ban public officials from using campaign cash to fund their legal defense in public corruption trials (Madigan used millions in cash he raised while he was Speaker to mount his legal defense).
By all appearances, the Democratic politicians who succeeded Madigan have no intention of fixing the flaws in the system that allowed his abuse of power to play out. The supermajority Democrats continually divert attention from their unwillingness to change a corrupt culture by decrying the actions of the federal government. They deflect criticism by pointing a finger at Washington while downplaying their supermajority status in Illinois. If they wanted to restore public trust in state government, all they’d have to do is to allow a vote on legislation already introduced. Instead, they let ethics reform legislation languish and a corrupt culture thrive.
The people of Illinois deserve a government they can trust. Unfortunately, Democrats have repeatedly quashed Republican efforts to clean up state government and enact tough and lasting reforms to our ethics laws.
At the conclusion of this chapter, Madigan will be in prison where he belongs, but he’s not the only one paying the price for his crimes. Illinois residents are on the hook for his actions. Madigan was convicted of using his power to pass legislation favorable to ComEd that resulted in higher rates for ComEd consumers. Prosecutors in Madigan’s case estimated the cost to the public to be at least $150 million. The damage caused by his corrupt activities cannot be undone. What’s more, a new chapter of corruption is sure to unfold, unless Democrats introduce a plot twist and work with Republicans to finally put an end to public corruption.
Illinois deserves a happier ending, one where good government prevails.
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Read more in the Caucus Blog:
- Madigan verdict highlights enduring corruption in state government, need for reforms
- Federal Prosecutors Seek 12.5-Year Sentence for Madigan
- International Anti-Corruption Day