[Bumped up from late Friday afternoon for visibility and comments opened for discussion.]
* I heard several credible reports about this last night, but then the Chicago FBI refused to confirm this morning, so I figured people closer to the scene would eventually figure it out. Here’s WBEZ…
Federal investigators have raided the northwest suburban offices of a politically connected company headed by a longtime, major campaign contributor to state Sen. Martin Sandoval, WBEZ has learned.
Multiple sources said the raid took place Tuesday at the Bartlett offices of Bluff City Materials Inc., one of several companies owned by Michael Vondra, a construction and asphalt magnate with deep political ties in state government.
For decades, Vondra has been one of the biggest players in Illinois’ asphalt and construction industries.
The law enforcement activity in Bartlett came on the same day FBI agents raided the Cicero and Springfield offices of Sandoval, a high-ranking Democrat who has been a state senator since 2003 and is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. […]
But the sources who spoke to WBEZ on the condition of anonymity said that Bluff City Materials was among multiple non-governmental locations also raided during one of the most dramatic weeks in the recent, corruption-riddled history of Illinois.
Vondra has quarries in McCook and Lyons, towns which were both raided yesterday. He also plays a major role in Sen. Sandoval’s annual golf outing. The two men are very close allies.
(Headline explained here.)
- PublicServant - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 6:38 am:
I’d say it’s time for Sandoval to step down, or Mike should remove him as committee chairman,
- Pick a Name - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 7:59 am:
News Flash—–The sales of shredders has hit an all time high in the Chicagoland area.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 8:36 am:
2019-2020 will be a great year for criminal defense lawyers.
- Steve - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 8:40 am:
It appears that the raids involved more people than just politicians..
- the old man - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 8:42 am:
How many roads is this going to go down?
- Steve - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 8:48 am:
- the old man -
This is probably going to involve a lot of people.
- reddevil1 - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 8:48 am:
Roads …Where we are going we don’t need anyroads
- JennaM - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 9:11 am:
The feds should be looking at all of Vondra’s companies.
- Charlie Brown - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 9:28 am:
I am starting to wonder whether this criminal investigation sprung from the Sandoval fundraiser involving Trump mask and the tequila gun.
- walker - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 9:35 am:
Public Servant: Mike who?
Please read Rich’s column on Sandoval, next on this blog.
- Steve - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 9:36 am:
- Charlie Brown -
This probably has nothing to do with Trump. But, Marty does know former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Sep 30, 19 @ 10:15 am:
-Charlie Brown-
No. That incident was only six weeks ago. This is a lot further along than six weeks.
- Geoff - Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 7:58 pm:
Time to roll back the 50 percent increase in license plates to $150. No more “other peoples money” for this combine.