Culture of Corruption in Springfield Lives On

Despite the downfall of former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan, arguably the most powerful and corrupt political figure in Illinois history, the culture of corruption he cultivated remains deeply entrenched in Springfield. And while Mike Madigan awaits sentencing after being convicted on ten felony counts that include conspiracy and bribery, his exit has not ushered in the ethical reckoning Illinoisans deserve. In fact, the same system of insider privilege and accountability evasion continues to be perpetuated at the State Capitol.
Current State Senator Emil Jones III, a Chicago Democrat, is in federal court this week facing bribery charges for allegedly manipulating red-light camera contracts in exchange for cash for himself and a job for a legislative intern. He stands accused of bribery, solicitation of bribery, and lying to federal investigators. If convicted, he could face over a decade in prison. It’s yet another case of a lawmaker using public office for personal gain.
Additionally, just last week, on the front page of the Chicago Tribune, it was revealed that Illinois’ Senate President may have accepted more than $4 million in campaign contributions during a previous election cycle in blatant violation of state contribution limits. The Illinois State Board of Elections says the funds must be returned, donated to charity, or redirected to the state’s General Revenue Fund. Otherwise, the Senate President could face fines that total more than $6.1 million.
This pattern of unethical behavior and subsequent responses are undeniable. When Democrats get caught, they issue carefully worded statements, but they take no responsibility or meaningful steps to address the systemic failures that allow corruption to thrive. There is no apology, no commitment to transparency, and certainly no action to prevent corruptive practices from happening again.
While the stench of corruption continues to run rampant under the Capitol dome, Republican lawmakers file dozens of ethics reform bills each year only to have those bills quietly buried or outright rejected by the Democrat majority.
Not one ethics bill has received a hearing this year in the Senate. In fact, the Senate doesn’t even have a full Ethics Committee anymore. Democrat leadership has reduced it to a subcommittee buried under the Executive Committee, effectively neutering any serious discussion on ethics reform.
Republican ethics bills are not partisan. They’re not radical. They represent the minimum ethical standards any functioning democracy should expect. Yet every year, our bills are blocked, buried, or quietly ignored by the Democrat majority.
It’s unacceptable.
The people of Illinois deserve a government that serves them, not one that enriches political insiders and shields bad actors. Ethics reform must be more than a buzzword. It must be a bipartisan priority.
I stand ready to lead this effort. I call on every member of the House and Senate— regardless of party—to join me in rooting out corruption, restoring public trust, and delivering real reform.
Let’s get to work.