SE Illinois News

Gubernatorial candidate and Senator Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has been vocal about Michael Madigan’s indictment.

“(The) indictment of the former Speaker and leader of the @IllinoisDems is no surprise,” Bailey wrote on Twitter. “As Governor, I’ll root out corruption and ensure those who engage in illegal activity are prosecuted and pay a steep price for violating the public trust. It’s time to reform Springfield.”

Madigan was indicted on 22 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion. Racketeering charges are more commonly associated with organized crime. The indictment alleges that Madigan was the leader of a criminal enterprise meant to give him more political power and financial stability while making money for his political allies. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office release said that Madigan served in a variety of positions, including speaker, representative of Illinois’s 22nd District, committeeman for Chicago’s 13th Ward, chairman of both the Illinois Democratic Party and the 13th Ward Democratic Organization, and partner at the Chicago law firm of Madigan & Getzendanner, and used those positions to further the criminal enterprise. The indictment alleges that Madigan directed the activities of his close friend and co-defendant Michael McClain.

Madigan denied the allegations.

“I was never involved in any criminal activity,” he said in a statement. “The government is attempting to criminalize a routine constituent service: job recommendations. That is not illegal, and these other charges are equally unfounded.” 

Madigan resigned as House Speaker in February 2021 after 50 years in the House of Representatives. At the time that Madigan left the legislature, there was an ongoing probe of bribery at Commonwealth Edison. He had not been charged at that point.

At the time of his resignation, Madigan released a statement claiming his innocence.

“It’s no secret that I have been the target of vicious attacks by people who sought to diminish my many achievements lifting up the working people of Illinois,” he said in the statement. “The fact is, my motivation for holding elected office has never wavered. I have been resolute in my dedication to public service and integrity, always acting in the interest of the people of Illinois.”

WTTW reported that Gov. J.B. Pritzker called Madigan’s indictment a wake-up call for politicians in the state. Pritzker denied ever having conversations with Madigan about appointing Daniel Solis to a state position. “I was asked to be a witness and (federal investigators) wanted to talk about any interactions and I was happy to cooperate and answer any and all of their questions,” Pritzker said at an unrelated press event. “I’ve answered all of them, in fact.”