* Sun-Times…
ComEd will pay $200 million to end a federal criminal investigation into a years-long bribery scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced Friday.
In doing so, it is admitting it arranged jobs, subcontracts and pay-offs for associates of “a high-level elected official for the state of Illinois.” That person is identified as “Public Official A” in a news release that implicates House Speaker Michael Madigan.
“Public Official A controlled what measures were called for a vote in the Illinois House of Representatives and exerted substantial influence over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation affecting ComEd,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a news release.
ComEd is resolving the investigation through a deferred prosecution agreement that will include the $200 million fine, according to the feds.
* Press release…
Commonwealth Edison Company (“ComEd”), the largest electric utility in Illinois, has agreed to pay $200 million to resolve a federal criminal investigation into a years-long bribery scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago announced today.
The criminal investigation of ComEd is being resolved with a deferred prosecution agreement under which ComEd admitted it arranged jobs, vendor subcontracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and subcontracts, for various associates of a high-level elected official for the state of Illinois, to influence and reward the official’s efforts to assist ComEd with respect to legislation concerning ComEd and its business. The U.S. Attorney’s Office today filed a one-count criminal information in U.S. District Court in Chicago charging ComEd with bribery. Under the agreement, the government will defer prosecution on the charge for three years and then seek to dismiss it if ComEd abides by certain conditions, including continuing to cooperate with ongoing investigations of individuals or other entities related to the conduct described in the bribery charge.
The deferred prosecution agreement, which is subject to approval by the U.S. District Court, requires ComEd to pay a $200 million fine. A court date for the approval hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The bribery charge and deferred prosecution agreement were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI; and Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Diane MacArthur, Timothy J. Chapman, Sarah E. Streicker, Matthew L. Kutcher, and Michelle Kramer.
In addition to the monetary penalty and obligation to continue cooperating with government investigations, ComEd’s obligations under the deferred prosecution agreement include enhancing its compliance program and providing annual reports to the government regarding remediation and implementation of its compliance measures. If ComEd fails to completely perform or fulfill each of its obligations under the agreement during the three-year term, the U.S. Attorney’s Office can initiate prosecution of the charged offense.
ComEd’s admissions regarding the charged conduct are contained in a Statement of Facts attached to the deferred prosecution agreement. ComEd admitted that its efforts to influence and reward the high-level elected official – identified in the Statement of Facts as “Public Official A” – began in or around 2011 and continued through in or around 2019. During that time, the Illinois General Assembly considered bills and passed legislation that had a substantial impact on ComEd’s operations and profitability, including legislation that affected the regulatory process used to determine the electricity rates ComEd charged its customers. Public Official A controlled what measures were called for a vote in the Illinois House of Representatives and exerted substantial influence over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation affecting ComEd. The company admitted that it arranged for jobs and vendor subcontracts for Public Official A’s political allies and workers even in instances where those people performed little or no work that they were purportedly hired by ComEd to perform.
In addition to the jobs and contracts, ComEd further admitted that it undertook other efforts to influence and reward Public Official A, including by appointing an individual to ComEd’s Board of Directors at the request of Public Official A; retaining a particular law firm at the request of Public Official A; and accepting into the company’s internship program a certain amount of students who resided in the Chicago ward where Public Official A was associated.
To date, ComEd has provided substantial cooperation with the federal investigations. Per the terms of the agreement, the company will continue to provide such cooperation until all investigations and prosecutions arising out of the charged conduct are concluded.
Click here for the ComEd Deferred Prosecution Agreement. Click here for the criminal information…
Public Official A was the Speaker of the House of Representatives and an elected member of that body. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Public Official A was able to exercise control over what measures were called for a vote in the House of Representatives. Public Official A also exercised substantial influence and control over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation, including legislation affecting ComEd.
Beginning no later than in or around 2011, and continuing through in or around 2019, in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and elsewhere,
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY,
defendant herein, corruptly gave, offered, and agreed to give things of value, namely, jobs, vendor subcontracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and subcontracts, for the benefit of Public Official A and Public Official A’s associates, with intent to influence and reward Public Official A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, a State government that during each of the twelve-month calendar years from 2011 to 2019, received federal benefits in excess of $10,000, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of $5,000 or more of the State of Illinois, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business;
In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(2).
…Adding… Sounds like we’ll know more later today. Media advisory…
WHO: John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office
Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division
WHAT: The officials will announce developments in a public corruption investigation.
WHERE: Enclosed courtyard of the Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago IL 60604
Media credentials and masks will be required to access the news conference.
WHEN: Friday, July 17, 2020, 12:30 p.m. CDT
- Reckoning - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:51 am:
The reckoning is here IL Dems, time for justice to finally be served
- Hainesville - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:51 am:
I suspect that FRR CUB and Exelon have been pushing for this summer is now DOA.
- AD - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:51 am:
Governor Pritzker, please call on the House of Representatives to remove this man from leadership. This is a criminal enterprise and should not represent the people of Illinois one more day. Anything less from our elected Representatives should not be accepted as this man did not serve the public and had a clear abuse of power of his position.
- Southern - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:52 am:
The big ticket target is always the last to fall.
- Phemonynous - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:56 am:
Yesterday: “I would suggest that the Republicans that want to pursue ethics reform go out to Washington, follow up on President Trump’s promise to drain the swamp,”
Today: ???
- Don Harmon's Folly - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:57 am:
For those commentators yesterday talking about portability, here’s the opportunity for Illinois House Democrats to replace the Speaker.
- Sterling - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:57 am:
You come at the king, you best not miss.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:59 am:
The precedent of indicted House members has been set.
Representative Arroyo‘a indictment is the measure.
I’ll wait and watch today… and moving forward… but the precedent is set.
- Just Me 2 - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:59 am:
It was about this time of year in 2002 when the feds started to close in on Lee Daniels, and his deputy announced a leadership fight. It was September when Daniels announced he wouldn’t run again and attempted to appoint his successor. That was a crazy campaign season where House Republicans were in-fighting to the death!
Will history repeat itself 18 years later, this time with the House Democrats?!
- The Opinions Bureau - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 8:59 am:
Had Sid Blumenthal ever written a book about the Teapot Dome scandal? Asking for a friend.
- JB13 - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:00 am:
Well, yeah, but those of us concerned about political corruption should really look only at the Trump White House. Public Official A told us so.
Nothing to see here in Illinois. No, sir.
- drudge - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:01 am:
Hainsville, many states in PJM grappling with what to do about impending rate increases to bail out coal and gas. Not just Illinois.
- Downstate - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:02 am:
After reading this item, I cycled down below to the Scribble Feed and laughed when I saw Senator Laura Fines announcement that she is holding a “paper shredding event”. Ironic timing.
- the Edge - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:02 am:
Politics. Lobbyists. I can think of too many examples where this applies across all levels.
- Birds on the Bat - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:03 am:
Because, Madigan. Yep.
- Arock - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:04 am:
We don’t need no ethics reform, I will keep it on the table and control everything just like I have in the past. King of corruption in the State of Illinois, King of the Illinois Democratic Party, King Michael Madigan. Wow, Rauner was right Michael Madigan is the root of the problem.
- Chicagonk - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:06 am:
This has to be the end of Madigan. Any Dems that continue to support him as speaker I will assume are complicit.
- Duke of Weaselton - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:06 am:
This is bad for JB and the fair tax. Will he call for Madigan’s resignation? Will Dems in the House do the same?
- OneMan - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:09 am:
I am expecting the Sgt Schultz defense
- Chad - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:09 am:
Exelon got a deal for flipping on Madigan.
Game. Set. Match.
The decision now is do the Dems let Madigan spend 8 to 10 million of the 23 he has under his control on legal defense.
- AD - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:10 am:
For anyone that doesn’t think this should be the end of the Speaker’s tenure, copy the charges into a word document, replace everything to do with Mike McClain with Jared Kushner and everything to do with Mike Madigan with Donald Trump, then reread it. It should give you the right opinion on this matter.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:13 am:
And check out Sun Times article on Berios and Feds and all the records the Feds are seeking Guess the Feds did not take summer off
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:13 am:
===This is bad for JB and the fair tax.==
A ding, but not too bad.
Still 97% won’t see taxes raised, backed by $50 million in cash to say that over and over, during a global pandemic and high unemployment.
We will see how *all* Dems play this out, the smartest political thought is to invoke “Arroyo” and wait and watch.
Less is more, but mostly “Arroyo”
That includes sitting GOP members.
There’s a path, don’t overplay, let it unfold… then move.
- Not a Billionaire - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:15 am:
Like OW said precedent set. Btw. If you call Dems complicit in Madigan and we have not seen that yet….what about Republicans and Trump?
- Pundent - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:17 am:
As discussed yesterday, ethics aren’t portable. If Madigan has violated the law he should be held accountable to the full extent of the law. The standards we apply should not be dependent on the person, the party, or the office they occupy. Democracy and the rule of law demands no less.
- Southern Skeptic - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:18 am:
The days of ComEd controlling the ILGA are over…for now.
- Say What? - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:29 am:
Jimmy Durkin’s “timing” perhaps more astute than the whataboutism crowd gave him credit for yesterday.
- Say What? - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:29 am:
Jimmy Durkin’s “timing” perhaps more astute than the whataboutism crowd gave him credit for yesterday.
- midway gardens - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:30 am:
== Still 97% won’t see taxes raised
It takes a lot of faith in State government to think this is true in the mid term. The taxes raised under the current proposal don’t come close to paying off back bills (and the Fed loan), pension shortfall, property tax relief, increased funding for schools. It’s almost pick one funding problem to solve with the current structure.
When the Federal income tax was passed in the thirties, the same promise was made - just on the millionaires. And that’s when being a millionaire meant something. I expect, they will continue to redefine what it means to be ‘rich’ and expand the basis for the tax.
- Chicagonk - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:31 am:
@NotaBillionaire - Complicit as well. Let’s stay on topic though and not engage in whataboutism
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:31 am:
I think this is the big one. The Speaker might be leaving vertical after all.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:32 am:
===“timing” perhaps more astute than the whataboutism crowd gave him credit for yesterday.===
Yeah, ‘bout that… Batinick and Wilhour still support Trump.
Please, keep up. Thanks.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:34 am:
=== It takes a lot of faith in State government…===
… and $50+ million to sell it outside it polling well.
Good luck.
- Graybeard - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:34 am:
Precedent is what it is, but Madigan has not been indicted (yet).
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:36 am:
===…has not been indicted (yet).===
That’s why the smartest, savviest move is to invoke “Arroyo”, quote the Speaker on Arroyo every 39 seconds, and wait and watch.
Why push things, are you double parked?
Once (when? If?) an indictment comes, the air in the balloon bursts.
With respect.
- OK Boomer - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:38 am:
The Speaker is a careful man. He recommended to Com Ed that they hire certain people. Com Ed hired those people who then lobbied successfully. Is this a crime? I mean this in all sincerity as I thought this is how lobbyists always get their jobs both at the state and federal level.
- Original Rambler - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:38 am:
I fail to see what this has to do with the Fair Tax but now anticipate commercials showing me how they are linked.
- @misterjayem - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:40 am:
“In addition to the monetary penalty and obligation to continue cooperating with government investigations, ComEd’s obligations under the deferred prosecution agreement include…”
Not even the end of the beginning.
– MrJM
- DuPage - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:43 am:
Will Comed just add that on to our electric bills?
- Jvslp - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:44 am:
Is this pretty damning evidence against Madigan? Yes, but he is Illinois’ version of “Teflon Don.” I’d be shocked, shocked I say if he stepped down.
- Say What? - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:45 am:
Thank you so much Willy. Just won $50 as I predicted you would invoke Trump and/or Rauner before 9:45 a.m.
Pretty sure neither Batnick nor Wilhour’s names will come up in the ComEd dynamic. Your ability to drag in unrelated drivel at any juncture is as consistent as it is goofy. After your performance yesterday, you are likely a bit disoriented.
Get some sun my friend, it is beautiful outside.
- Graybeard - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:46 am:
==That’s why the smartest, savviest move is to invoke “Arroyo”, quote the Speaker on Arroyo every 39 seconds, and wait and watch.
Why push things, are you double parked?
Once (when? If?) an indictment comes, the air in the balloon bursts.
With respect==
Agreed, and I think the question is clearly “when”. Reading the agreement, it seems real clear that the investigation is not far from an indictment against Public Official A.
- ILPundit - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:48 am:
When you read the stipulation document that ComEd essentially concedes as the facts of the case, the wrongdoing by Public Official A exceeds the things that brought down Blagojevich and Ryan by a mile.
Madigan is not one to go quietly, but if he doesn’t step down, Democrats in every part of the state are going to be in a very difficult box.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:49 am:
=== Just won $50 as I predicted you would invoke Trump and/or Rauner before 9:45 a.m.===
You just bragged your sad existence has to include me to make you happy?
Yikes, man, I’m living rent free there, lol
=== Pretty sure neither Batnick nor Wilhour’s names will come up===
… but Trump in, say, Batinick’s district might.
Things aren’t done in vacuums, and while your ethics seem portable to party and you seemly see nothing wrong with Trump, I wish you well, and please, find joy outside sadly making it about me. There’s a whole world out there.
- Back to the Future - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:51 am:
Thinking the headline could have read “ComEd Executives agree to Pay $200 million of Shareholder and Ratepayers Hard Earned Money to Stay out of Jail”, but that headline is too long so let’s just say “Feds and Executives Made a Deal” and wait for the other shoe to drop.
Agree that this is not even the end of the beginning.
- Top of the State - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:52 am:
Madigan has a number of options. Resign, retire, or keep fighting. The most powerful politician in IL will not be an easy target for the Feds, and he has a number of levers at his disposal. It will take courage for Dems to go against the Speaker.
- Say What? - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:53 am:
Willy - ironically I agree with you entirely on the Trump and Eastern Bloc front. Phonies all.
Just calling you out as a broken record. This stream is about ComEd and the Speaker. Focus.
Lecture somebody else, O Great OZ.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:54 am:
- Say What? -
Move on. Spend that money and be giddy.
I don’t care.
- Graybeard - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:58 am:
In today’s version of “It’s A Small World”, Blagojevich prosecutor Reid Schar signed the agreement on behalf of ComEd…
- Bob Loblaw - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 9:59 am:
== replace everything to do with Mike McClain with Jared Kushner and everything to do with Mike Madigan with Donald Trump, then reread it. ==
Wouldn’t that be a defense of Madigan given all we know about the Trump operation and the total lack of accountability they’ve faced for it?
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:00 am:
“Public Official A controlled what measures were called for a vote in the Illinois House of Representatives and exerted substantial influence over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation affecting ComEd,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a news release.
MJM’s hubris lead to his downfall. He should have retired years ago. Instead, his legacy now goes from Mr Speaker and The velvet hammer to Public Official A, and soon to a disgraced corrupt politician.
- Just Another Anon - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:00 am:
I’ve got my popcorn ready.
- Huh? - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:01 am:
“Will Comed just add that on to our electric bills?”
Well, duh. Did you expect anything different?
- Downstate - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:06 am:
===I’ve got my popcorn ready.====
All in all, 2020 may turn out to be a pretty good year /s/
In all seriousness, I’m troubled by the line from the prosecutor, “exerted substantial influence over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation affecting ComEd”.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d be delight to see new leadership. But those words don’t sound criminal to me.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:07 am:
===Reading the agreement, it seems real clear that the investigation is not far from an indictment against Public Official A.===
You’re on it, - @misterjayem - called it too.
“Not even the end of the beginning.”
The irony is Madigan with Arroyo might give many the “easy response” with precedent while passively pushing the Speaker out the door?
- Etown - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:10 am:
Your table is ready Rep. Cassidy!
- Ejpp - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:15 am:
200 million for Com Ed, but I don’t see where any of the parties for Com Ed are being held for these illegal acts. No jail time, no seizure of their assets, why? No wonder this behavior goes on and on. Everyone else pays for their crimes.
- drudge - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:18 am:
The $200 million is shareholder money.. “ComEd may not seek to recover any portion of the fine through surcharges, fees or any other charges to
customers.”
- 1st Ward - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:20 am:
“Will Comed just add that on to our electric bills”
Yes. They have a rate formula passed by the state. To keep this as part of the formula ComEd needs to lobby more and in 10 years we will hear of another “lobbying scandal” with another fine. Hoping there are actual indictments down the road. If not what’s the point of the investigation.
- TKMH - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:28 am:
To those above who are optimistic that this will be the end of the Speaker’s reign, or those quoting The Wire, I present to you the best Clay Davis scene from the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAQv6KTfQow
Or perhaps I’m just being too cynical, and Madigan is actually on the way out.
- Gohawks123 - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:30 am:
Which brave soul will go against him…. thats the question that should be asked
- Notorious RBG - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:32 am:
Drudge is right - you can’t run this through rates. It must be shareholder money under the law. Yes, ComEd has formula rates. But the formula dictates what expenses, infrastructure, and profit can be recovered from customers and what cannot. This fine cannot go through rates. However, $200 million is a drop in the bucket for ComEd…
- NIU Grad - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:34 am:
I agree that ComEd isn’t really paying for their part of the bargain. Sure, this hurts their credibility in lobbying going forward, but they have donated thousands to politicians across the state. One has to wonder, though, if this will boost calls in Chicago for the city to take over their electric utilities.
- Honeybear - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:38 am:
Cripes this feels like Gallipoli more and more each day. This kinda crap has such repercussions for those in the trenches.
- 32nd warder - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:45 am:
Slightly off subject, but I think the governor should question whether or not Deputy Governor Christian Mitchel should continue overseeing energy policy. Mitchel was a member of Madigan’s caucus and voted for him for Speaker. Furthermore, he was also the temporary head of the democratic party of illinois, madigan’s fundraising arm. with todays announcement, the intersection of all these factors would cause a cautios and smart governor to pull mitchel back from the energy talks, and possibly more.
- Downstate - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 10:54 am:
—Which brave soul will go against him…. thats the question that should be asked—-
There are 72 members that can legitimately see themselves wearing the crown. Timing will be everything.
- dbk - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:00 am:
Not much point in repeating that old trope “MJM should have retired in 2019,” etc. The die is cast and it’s going to unfold in 2020 real time now. I agree that it looks like an indictment is in the works - they wouldn’t have made this much public unless they were ready.
But ComEd is getting off with a slap on the wrist, which is what $200 million amounts to for them.
The Gov needs to show very decisive leadership on this one; I think ComEd deserves to get reverse-checkmated, i.e. broken up into a series of public utilities and sold to municipalities at bargain-basement rates.
And the Gov needs to retire the Speaker pronto if he’s to regain control of the state and the narrative.
- 1st Ward - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:18 am:
Where’s Harmon’s statement or any state politician statement on not accepting money from ComEd and any individual affiliate or affiliate entity of ComEd?
Weird…. I guess the FOP money is what we need to be concerned about.
- allknowingmasterofraccoodom - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:18 am:
Oswego Willy - your table is ready. Sit down and eat.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:25 am:
===…. your table is ready. Sit down and eat.===
Dunno what that means, but…
… if your first inclination is to think of me with this explosive turn of events, yikes, man, you need to rethink how you see politics.
To the post, and the adults…
I guess that $23 million won’t find its way to too many House races come fall(?)
- DrurysMissingClock - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:35 am:
—I guess the FOP money is what we need to be concerned about—
Well, yeah. ComEd made some bribes but they don’t murder unarmed citizens. Have you not been paying attention the last few months?
- Boomerang - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:40 am:
A lot of rushing to throw dirt on Public Official A’s grave. The Feds have tapes and texts from someone saying PO 1 said or ordered something. But so far, we haven’t heard that PO 1 on tape. Unless one or more of the inner circle flip, there doesn’t look like there is corroboration, just hearsay. You may want to hold off on that political obituary for now.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:43 am:
=== Unless one or more of the inner circle flip===
No.
If the Speaker is indicted… it’s over
“The Arroyo Rule” is then applied.
- OneMan - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:48 am:
What is the positive for Public official one?
The best telling of this is “I was unaware of any of this happening?”
Even then you have the question of “why does a person have this much power that a public utility can effectively do this”
Also who else felt this was an effective enough approach to do it.
Also what is the over/ under of MJM becoming more “woke” in the next month?
- 1st Ward - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:51 am:
@DrurysMissingClock
“ComEd made some bribes” that’s all you are getting out of this?
“but they don’t murder unarmed citizens.”
Harmon and politicians should be consistent about who they receive funds from and why. Municipalities are largely in charge of the police not the state. ComEd is regulated by the state which Harmon is governing.
- Back to the Future - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:54 am:
Of course, this story is only a few hours old, but I would have thought Team Pritzker would have thrown Team Madigan under the bus by now.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 11:57 am:
===under the bus by now===
He’s speaking live in a few minutes.
- To Her Right - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 12:08 pm:
Does anyone know where can we watch the 12:30 presser?
- A Guy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 12:25 pm:
Wonder what the real time budget estimate is for what the Speaker’s defense is going to cost right now? That could definitely affect how much money is going to be spread around. Or not.
- My Thoughts - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 12:29 pm:
As leaders such as Emanuel Chris Welch on their thoughts about Madigan via Facebook and your comments are blocked.
- Birds on the Bat - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 12:56 pm:
== they don’t murder unarmed citizens. Have you not been paying attention the last few months?==
Seriously? 89 murders in Chicago in June. Have YOU not been paying attention the last few months? Sorry if these murders don’t fit your narrative. Sad.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 12:58 pm:
- Birds on the Bat -
Do you support Black Lives Matter?
Why or why not?
Thanks.
- Chatham Resident - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:10 pm:
Wow–these Madigan implications just happened to come on Alaina Hampton’s birthday. In fact, she had typed on twitter, “The best bday gift would be some FBI indictments” before the Madigan stuff broke.
She is having a field day on these indictments on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/alainaxhampton
- DuPage - Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:49 pm:
Might be time to reconsider bringing in more wind power to the state. Comed spent a lot of money to stop the Rock Island Clean Line. The legislators could have passed a minor amendment to allow it, but did not for some reason. Perhaps as a favor to Comed.