SE Illinois News

Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has little doubt about to whom he thinks the spate of recent corruption raids involving state politicians will lead.

“I’m counting on all this funneling right back to House Speaker Mike Madigan,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “I just hope that we get credible evidence to prove it. You look at the capital bill and all the money to be spent throughout Illinois, and I think it’s telling that this is one of those deals that is simply too good to be true.”

Four-term state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) is the latest state lawmaker to become ensnared in the still swirling scandal, with federal agents recently executing a search warrant on several of his known locations as part of an ongoing corruption probe. According to the Chicago Tribune, the probe centers on allegations that Sandoval tried to steer business to at least one company in exchange for kickbacks.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago)

Sandoval, like a handful of other political operatives to recently come under federal corruption investigation, has close ties to longtime House Speaker Madigan. Four months ago, federal agents raided the home of Chicago Ald. Marty Quinn’s brother, Kevin Quinn, a one-time political aide of Madigan’s who was ousted after allegations of sexual harassment.

“I think voters are confused when they hear one thing and see something else,” Bailey said. “I think what voters have to do is look at their pocketbooks and ask themselves, 'Is it easier today than it was 10 years ago?' That’s where the facts are; it’s time people stand and show up at the polls and vote for something different, which is conservative Republicans.