Political corruption undermines and erodes public trust in government. There should be no place in our political landscape for those who would use their elected position for personal gain. On this, there should be full bipartisan agreement.
This week, the highest profile political corruption trial of our time will take center stage in a federal courtroom in Chicago. Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan will face 23 counts of racketeering conspiracy, attempted extortion, and wire fraud for allegedly using his official position to corruptly lead a decade-long criminal enterprise to enhance his own power while simultaneously channeling income to some of his top allies.
Madigan is the longest-serving Speaker of the House in American history, having served all but two years in the Speaker’s chair from 1982-2021. He ruled with an iron fist, and it was widely known that if a legislator or lobbyist wanted a bill passed, they had to have the blessing of the Speaker.
You may recall that back in 2020 when I served in the Illinois House, I was one of three petitioners who called for a House investigation into alleged corruption activities of Madigan. This request was made in response to information that had emerged regarding an alleged arrangement between the Speaker, one of his closest confidants, and ComEd, where funds were allegedly funneled to Madigan allies in exchange for a favorable vote on energy legislation. ComEd admitted to their role in the agreement in exchange for a deferred prosecution agreement with the federal government.
The special investigation committee only heard from one witness who provided damning testimony before the Democrat House Committee Chair abruptly shut down the investigation.
I was elected to the General Assembly (GA) in 2018, and my legislative agendas have always included measures that would elevate the ethical standards for those who serve. Just a few of the bills I sponsored or co-sponsored while serving in the Illinois House from 2019-2022 include instituting term limits for legislative leaders, bills that ease the path for the state’s Legislative Inspector General to investigate alleged wrongdoings by legislators, legislation that prohibits sitting lawmakers from also working as lobbyists, and bills that prevent Democrats from blocking bills when there is bipartisan sponsorship.
Every one of these bills were blocked by Democrats. Not one of them reached the House floor for a vote.
My commitment to raising the ethical bar for lawmakers extended into this current 103rd GA as well, with my sponsorship of SB 3260, which prohibits the use of political funds in any court defense related to a legislator’s public service, and SB 3158, which strips current or former lawmakers of their GA license plates if they are convicted of a felony related to their public service.
I filed SB 3260 after learning that many elected officials were paying for their political corruption court defenses with their campaign funds, which allowed them to shield their personal assets.
With regard to SB 3158, after serving a determined number of years in the GA, legislators can purchase under the statewide fee structure for license plates, plates that identify them as an Illinois lawmaker. Retired legislators who serve a determined period of time are able to purchase retired legislator plates. I feel strongly that legislators, current or retired, who are convicted of crimes associated with their service in the GA, should not be able to display legislative plates.
Both of these bills were filed eight months ago and both languish in the Senate Assignments committee, having never been granted hearings.
Again, there should be no place in politics for those who use their position for personal gain. I will continue to push for higher ethical standards and invite my colleagues across the aisle to join me in restoring public trust in government.
