* News media Q&A in DeKalb today with Gov. Pritzker…
Q: When was the last time you spoke with Mike Madigan?
A: On March 1, I called to let him know that we would be making changes at the Illinois Arts Council.
Madigan’s spouse Shirley chairs the Arts Council, so I asked the governor’s office if that means she’s being pushed out. No response yet.
Also, as always, please pardon any transcription errors.
* Back to Q&A…
Q: You spoke voluntarily with federal investigators about the investigation. What do you think that people are going to need to know about the conversation you had?
A: Only that I was asked to be a witness and that they wanted to talk about any interactions. And I was happy to cooperate and answer any and all of their questions. I answered all of them, in fact, and if you want more detail about what those questions were, I’d refer you to the US Attorney’s Office for any additional information about them.
Q: Was it clear to you when you talked to the feds in February that they were poised to indict him?
A: It was not clear to me. I mean, they had questions that were obviously around some wrongdoing, but it was not clear to me that they were prepared to indict.
Q: In your dealings with Madigan, during your time in office, did you ever suspect in hindsight now that anything he was doing was not above board and that there was anything more than what he called routine constituent services?
A: Not from any of the interactions that I had with him. Remember, I was governor. He was Speaker of the House, there was a Senate President, there were leaders across the General Assembly, I needed to work with all of them. And so none of the interactions that I had were anything other than about, you know, things to do with doing the right thing in government for the people.
Q: The special investigative committee that closed the books on the Madigan investigation after ComEd came out. It was chaired by then State Representative Chris Welch. They closed that found and found nothing wrong. Was it a mistake in hindsight not to have Madigan called before and testified based on what we now know that there clearly was wrongdoing?
A: In a way I’d say it’s the reverse of that. That is, I think that they were deferring to the US attorney and to the federal authorities to allow them to make a case, and they clearly did.
On Wednesday after the indictment, Welch began his public remarks by addressing his role as the chair of that committee.
“Let me begin by first saying that, as the former chair of the Special Investigating Committee, I said all along, during the course of that process, that I thought that there was a more appropriate forum to deal with the things that we had been hearing in the public domain,” he said in a news conference outside his Capitol office. “And I thought that forum was the United States Attorney’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office has all the resources that it needs to properly and thoroughly investigate allegations of corruption. I knew that all along.”
Welch said the House has passed ethics reforms since he became speaker and hired a new legislative inspector general. He said he believed he led the investigating committee “openly, honestly and fairly.”
“And we’re going to continue to do that,” he said. “And I think here in the last 13 months, you can speak to our colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I’ve done it my way. The Chris Welch way. The only way I know how. And it’s a new day in Springfield.”
* Back to Pritzker…
Q: Do you ever remember a conversation where you were asked to find a position for Danny Solis?
A: No.
Q: Since Mike Madigan has had a piece in legislation for the past 50 years, he helped write the modern constitution, what would you say to Illinois, to restore faith in the legislative process?
A: Well remember that the vast majority of the people who serve in the General Assembly and broadly in public office have been doing the right thing and not breaking the law, and doing what they felt was best for the people of the state of Illinois. So I would say that you should look to your local leaders who have been doing the right thing, to your state leaders who are operating above board and trying hard to lift up working families across the state and not line their own pockets. But I have to say just, I’ve said this many times, but it is abhorrent to me when people take public office, either with the purpose of lining their own pockets or stealing from the public or who decided somewhere along the way that that’s okay. That’s abhorrent. We’ve got to root that out. And at every turn, I think it’s all up to all of us who, if we run into situations where we think something’s being done that is improper, please call it out, please let people know. And of course, vote those people out if they are caught doing something wrong, they need to go.
Q: Should Madigan resign from the state central committee?
A: Yes, of course.
Q: There are a number of Democrats who say there still needs to be more work to be done. Do you agree with them, and if so, what more needs to be done in light of what we’ve seen come out of how Madigan… and return to the public trust?
A: I think we all need to examine what the charges are. I will say that the federal authorities, you know, the fact that there are laws that hold people accountable, and that they’re getting held accountable is evidence that, we at least in part, through the justice system, have ways of catching people and holding them accountable. But there is much more to do. And I’ve said that from the very beginning. I’ve been pushing for ethics legislation, we got some of it done. There is more to do. There’s no doubt about it. We got rid of the revolving door. Could we do more in that regard? Sure. We’ve stopped people from lobbying state government when they’re serving in state government. We’ve done a number of things that I think have made things better, but we’ve got much, much more to do and it’s clear from the an indictment like this, that our work is not done.
Q: [Garbled]
A: This should be a wake up call to everybody in public service that you better toe the line, you better do the right thing, you better stand up for the people that you represent and not try to line your own pockets.
* Rep. Kelly Cassidy was asked last night about the inadequacies of the recent ethics legislation…
I think that we took significant steps. There’s always more that can be done. Illinois, for good or for ill, and for some of us it’s a frustration, is an incremental state. But we take steps, we see if they work, we take more steps.
* And this is why the governor was in DeKalb today…
Gov. JB Pritzker made a stop in DeKalb Thursday to tout a plan for funding more Illinois students in higher education, including at Northern Illinois University.
He presented his plan to budget for an additional $200 million in state education funding for grants which make college more affordable for students to address what he called an “exodus on young people” leaving Illinois.
Interesting that Jeanne Ives would endorse Darren Bailey for governor.
Bailey's closest allies in the House have Ives on their government payroll for $37K in PR. Reps. Halbrook, Miller, Caulkins were quite upset when Ives' business partner joined the ticket with Jesse Sullivan. pic.twitter.com/IbmYFl3O3X
People who do this politics thing all the time don’t always realize that voters have short memories. Yes, primary voters are higher information voters than general election voters, but the 2018 primary was a long time ago to many people.
* Yikes…
Flashback to RINO Rodney Davis "fanboying" while meeting Barack Obama at the 2013 State of the Union and nearly fainting while getting his autograph!
* This is interesting because Rep. Willis, like Villegas, is up against a Chuy Garcia-backed primary opponent…
Today, State Representative Kathleen Willis (IL-77) announced her endorsement of Alderman Gilbert Villegas for Congress in the race for the newly drawn Illinois 3rd Congressional District. Representative Willis is a member of the 19 Illinois State Representatives who opposed Mike Madigan’s re-election to Speaker of the House.
“I am proud to support Gilbert Villegas for Congress because integrity matters when it comes to choosing our elected officials. Not everyone has the courage to do what’s right in politics, but Gilbert has served his country as a Marine, working families as a Teamsters, and his community as a public servant. We can trust him to fight for us,” said Representative Kathleen Willis.
“I am honored to receive the support from a leader like Kathleen Willis. Her bravery under fire demonstrates incredible leadership at a time when people need it most,” said Alderman Gilbert Villegas. “I look forward to working with her to get things done for the people of Illinois.”
State Rep. Kathleen Willis is currently serving in her fifth term representing Illinois’s 77th House District. A full-time legislator with a strong background in education, Willis has worked tirelessly to make sure her constituents’ voices get heard.
Willis marks the twenty second local official who has come out in support of Alderman Villegas.
* Yesterday…
Today, California’s 40th District Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard announced her support for Delia Ramirez in the newly drawn 3rd congressional district.
“As a non-profit leader and state legislator Delia has kept community and service at the forefront of her work, which has made her effective in passing historic legislation. I enthusiastically support her campaign for Congress because I know Delia is the proven fighter her community needs,” said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. “I’m excited to support her candidacy as she fights for working families in Illinois.”
Delia Ramirez is the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and the first Guatemalan American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. Ramirez, a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, has served as the founding executive director of the Center for Changing Lives, former board chair for the Latin United Community Housing Association and Logan Square Neighborhood Association. If elected, Ramirez would be the first Latina to represent a Midwestern state in Congress.
“It is so fitting that we kick off Women’s History Month by earning the endorsement of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, who made history by becoming the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress. I am honored to have earned her endorsement and look forward to continuing to fight for immigration reform, an issue close to my heart and which Congresswoman Roybal-Allard has led on in Congress ” said Delia Ramirez.
Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is the latest to endorse Delia Ramirez. Last month, Delia was supported by Congressmen Jesus Chuy Garcia and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, along with EMILY’s List, Pro-Choice PODER PAC, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Cook County College Teachers Union, and the United Working Families and Working Families Party.
During a telephone interview from Washington on Wednesday, Garcia was asked if he’s giving any thought to another mayoral campaign, particularly if his Democratic Party loses control of the House of Representatives in the November election.
“I am not thinking about that whatsoever and I surely haven’t talked with my wife about it. I’ve got to think that she’d be very reluctant for us to do it, and we do everything together. It’s not on my radar right now. … I treasure that [2015] run. But I was a little younger” then, Garcia said.
“If somebody could show me where there’s a significant pot of gold … to usher in a real era of equity in Chicago, that would be really moving and convincing to me. I don’t see that on the horizon right now. The challenges are just so huge for Chicago. … The job is a huge bear and it will continue to be challenging and torturous on a daily basis, especially as [federal] funding dissipates and goes away. It will make it excruciatingly difficult to govern and provide good news to Chicagoans.”
The fact that the mayor’s job is so bad may turn out to be her best political ally.
* Press release…
Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) announced he has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters in his re-election campaign. This is LCV’s first endorsement in a member-on-member primary and highlights the urgent need to keep global climate leaders like Rep. Casten in Congress.
“Whether it was as a scientist, a clean energy entrepreneur, or now as a Member of Congress, I have dedicated my entire life to fighting climate change,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The IPCC report released earlier this week makes it overwhelmingly clear that climate change is the greatest existential crisis we face as a species. Congress must act to address it with the scale and urgency that science has shown is necessary to save our planet. I’m honored to be endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters and will continue to work hand-in-hand with them to ensure we provide a livable planet to our children and grandchildren.”
“Congressman Sean Casten is a tireless and determined advocate for climate action, and we are so proud to support his campaign for reelection,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “It has never been more important to have leaders in Congress who will fight for the transformational climate progress we so desperately need, and we know nobody will fight harder than Rep. Casten.”
“As the most recent IPCC report makes clear, there is no time to waste for a just and equitable transition to clean energy. Representative Sean Casten has worked relentlessly to fight the climate crisis since his first day in Congress,” said Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jennifer Walling. “We are proud to have him leading for our Illinois communities.”
As a member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Rep. Casten has quickly established himself as one of Congress’ indispensable climate leaders. He has represented the United States on the global climate stage multiple times at COP25 and COP26.
Rep. Casten has passed—and President Biden has signed into law—multiple pieces of climate legislation to lower the carbon footprint of the federal government, invest in clean energy battery storage technologies, and expand Illinois’ electric vehicle charging network.
In 2019 and 2020, the League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund spent over $115 million in support of pro-climate candidates nationwide.
Rep. Casten has previously been endorsed by pro-climate groups like the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition PAC and 314 Action Fund, as well as climate leaders like Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), the chair of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
The 19 House Democrats who called for Madigan to resign during the ComEd investigation also responded to the indictment Wednesday night. This group was frequently criticized by other veterans in the Democratic caucus for stepping forward to call for change in House leadership.
Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard) recalled her experience calling for the corruption to end in the House during the summer of 2020. She said the 19 stood alongside each other, either in person or through encouraging messages between each other.
“This was not easy for any of us,” Costa Howard said. “But at the end of the day, I know that I can look my daughters in the face and tell them doing what’s right isn’t always easy but doing what’s right is the right thing to do.”
Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) said they faced intense pressure to keep the status quo in the chamber, but the 19 couldn’t let that happen.
“This is about Speaker Madigan and what he did, and to what extent he influenced the culture of this building,” Cassidy said. “The first thing you do when you get cancer is you cut out the cancer. Then you treat what happened afterward.”
The 19 said they are still most concerned with how Illinois lawmakers can restore trust in government.
“Madigan utilized his position as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois to influence and garner loyalty from legislators by providing or withholding staff and funding to legislators and their campaigns,” the feds alleged.
State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn), who, along with Cassidy was early in calling for Madigan’s resignation after the speaker was named “Public Official A” in ComEd’s deferred prosecution agreement, was one of those members to whom funding was withheld.
Costa Howard still received some support from Madigan’s deep campaign coffers in 2020, but not nearly as much as her colleagues in similar suburban districts that had historically been GOP territory.
On Wednesday, Costa Howard’s voice wavered in a news conference put on by the group of 19 House Democrats who publicly said prior to last year’s lame duck session that they wouldn’t vote for Madigan as speaker again — a decisive number that ended up attracting even more dissidents to block the speaker’s path.
Q: The Republicans just a few minutes ago said that Speaker Welch is Madigan’s hand-picked successor.
[Loud and long laughter from the gathered members]
Rep. Ann Williams: I think we had something to do with Speaker Welch being speaker.
While true that Madigan called Welch to tell him about his plan to suspend his reelection campaign, what’s not widely known is Welch wasn’t the only person to get a heads-up from Madigan.
* The members were also asked about the dangers that Illinois Democrats will face in an election year because of Madigan’s indictment. Rep. Cassidy gave the response…
I think I’d rather focus on what our colleagues would be facing if we hadn’t been successful. And what this day would look like if he were still speaker, the chaos that our work would have been plunged into, the complete lack of any forward motion on any of the issues that we’re working on here. I think that that’s what today’s story is about.
It’s a rare day when House Speaker Michael Madigan supports a measure in his chamber and it fails. So what kind of issue could create that scenario? A tax increase? Pension overhaul? Try reforming the electric-supplier industry, which should be ripe for a crackdown since it has caused a large percentage of the Chicago-area customers it serves to pay too much for power over the past few years.
The reform measure, a signature issue for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, fell short by just a few votes late last month thanks to staunch opposition from Exelon, which owns Constellation, the largest alternative electricity supplier in Illinois.
Also helping to defeat the bill was the Illinois Commerce Commission. The ICC, which regulates utilities and suppliers, had advocated for stronger laws but opposed this proposal because of objections to giving greater enforcement responsibilities to the attorney general’s office.
Contributing, too, to the bill’s demise was the neutral position taken by Exelon-owned Commonwealth Edison despite the fact that most consumers buying from alternative suppliers pay more for power than they would with ComEd. ComEd’s downstate counterpart, Ameren Illinois, was a full-throated supporter of the legislation.
In or around April 2018, MADIGAN called Individual BM-1 [Juan Ochoa] and advised Individual BM-1 about the expected timing of Individual BM-1’s appointment to the ComEd board of directors.
In or around April 2018, MADIGAN gave McClain permission to work to kill HB 5626 on behalf of ComEd, and ComEd thereafter worked to defeat HB 5626.
On or about May 2, 2018, MADIGAN placed a call to McClain, and after McClain advised MADIGAN that Pramaggiore was experiencing push-back to the appointment of Individual BM-1 to the ComEd board of directors, and had proposed finding a job that would pay Individual BM-1 the same amount of money as a board member, MADIGAN instructed McClain, “Yeah, Mike, I would suggest that we continue to support [Individual BM-1].”
On or about May 16, 2018, McClain placed a telephone call to Pramaggiore during which they discussed preventing HB 5626 from being passed in the Illinois General Assembly.
On or about May 16, 2018, at approximately 10:20 a.m., MADIGAN placed a call to McClain, during which MADIGAN instructed McClain (i) to discuss Individual 23W-1 with Pramaggiore; and (ii) to “go forward with” the appointment of Individual BM-1.
On or about May 16, 2018, McClain placed a telephone call to Pramaggiore, during which call (i) Pramaggiore advised McClain that she had instructed Marquez to “hire” Individual 23W-1 after checking with Doherty; and (ii) McClain informed Pramaggiore that MADIGAN wanted to “keep pressing” for the appointment of Individual BM-1 to the ComEd board of directors, and Pramaggiore agreed to do so.
On or about May 16, 2018, McClain placed a telephone call to Marquez, during which McClain explained why certain individuals were being paid indirectly through JDDA, by making reference to their utility to MADIGAN’s political operation, and advised Marquez that Individual 23W-1 should be paid $5,000 a month. […]
On or about May 18, 2018, McClain caused an email to be sent to Pramaggiore, Hooker, and other ComEd employees referencing HB 5626 that noted “a friend of ours” had authorized McClain to “go ahead and kill it.”
On or about June 20, 2018, McClain placed a telephone call to Hooker, during which McClain stated that MADIGAN was the person who first “warned” them about HB 5626 and that MADIGAN had given ComEd permission to work to “kill” the legislation.
On or about June 29, 2018, Doherty caused an email to be sent to a ComEd employee, which made it falsely appear that the justification for an additional $5,000 a month sought under JDDA’s revised contract was because JDDA would assume an “expanded role with Cook County Board President’s office and Cook County Commissioners and Department Heads,” when in fact the additional $5,000 a month in compensation sought was intended for payment to Individual 23W-1, who performed little or no work for JDDA or ComEd. […]
On or about July 17, 2018, McClain placed a telephone call to Pramaggiore during which Pramaggiore told McClain that “we’re moving forward with [Individual BM-1]” and that McClain could tell MADIGAN. […]
On or about December 5, 2018, Marquez placed a call to McClain, during which call McClain authorized Marquez to “get rid” of Individual FR-1, meaning ComEd could discontinue making payments to Individual FR-1.
On or about December 6, 2018, McClain sent an email to Marquez and others at ComEd, in which McClain advised, in reference to the ComEd Internship Program, “I am pretty sure the ‘ask’ will be to ‘put aside’ or ‘save’ ten summer jobs for the 13th Ward.”
On or about December 7, 2018, MADIGAN placed a call to McClain, during which call MADIGAN instructed McClain to have ComEd discontinue its indirect payments to Individual 13W-3. […]
On or about February 11, 2019, McClain placed a telephone call to Hooker and the two men discussed that MADIGAN was informed of the plan to have ComEd pay Individual 13W-1 indirectly through Doherty’s lobbying firm and MADIGAN “thought it was great.”[…]
On or about February 18, 2019, Pramaggiore participated in a telephone call with Marquez, during which call, after she was told that the subcontractors associated with Doherty just “collect a check” and that Marquez needed to brief the chief executive officer of ComEd concerning the JDDA contract, Pramaggiore advised Marquez not to make any changes to the contract, because “we do not want to get caught up in a, you know, disruptive battle where, you know, somebody gets their nose out of joint and we’re trying to move somebody off, and then we get forced to give ’em a five- year contract because we’re in the middle of needing to get something done in Springfield.”
As it turned out, a bill very much like that—known now as the HEAT Act—passed the following year with the support of ComEd parent Exelon. But the circumstances, like most energy legislation in Springfield, were complicated.
ComEd, along with downstate utility Ameren Illinois, tried to tie passage of the supplier reforms to an extension of their formula rate-setting authority, which was (and still is) set to expire at the end of 2022. The new system essentially eliminated the Illinois Commerce Commission’s authority to set electricity delivery rates, instead changing them via an annual formula that the utilities wanted extended for another 10 years.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who took the lead in 2019 on the supplier crackdown, refused to allow his bill to be tied to the formula rate extension. To the surprise of veteran observers of Illinois energy politics, ComEd’s priority stalled while Raoul’s bill passed.
Later, it became clear why. In May 2019, the FBI raided the home of McClain, as well as other close associates of Madigan’s. That news became public in the summer, but no one knew of those actions in May as the spring session wound down. Madigan obviously did.
The [Madigan] indictment was built, in part, on the work of former longtime Chicago City Council member Danny Solis (25th) whose cooperation with federal prosecutors was first exposed by the Chicago Sun-Times in January 2019, and who helped the feds build a similar indictment against Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th), the longest-serving member of the council.
The Sun-Times also exclusively reported in January 2019 on an affidavit detailing the investigation that led to Solis’ cooperation. That document revealed that the feds secretly recorded Madigan in his law office at Madigan & Getzendanner in August 2014. Court records filed in connection with Madigan’s indictment Wednesday confirm the investigation goes back to the same year.
In March 2019, the Sun-Times also reported on a potential deal involving Solis and a Chinatown parking lot that is now part of Madigan’s indictment.
We know from previous reporting that McClain’s phones were tapped and that former 25th Ward Ald. Danny Solis also was caught on wiretaps with Madigan even before he turned FBI mole. The indictment makes clear that after Solis began cooperating he turned his sights on Madigan as well as since-indicted 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke. […]
There are also new schemes involving Solis’ efforts to set up Madigan, offering to help him get private legal business by squeezing businesses that needed the alderman’s help at the City Council to hire Madigan’s firm, which specializes in helping reduce real estate taxes. Solis told Madigan he wanted a state appointment in return, and the speaker allegedly agreed to help.
My favorite part of the indictment involved Solis telling Madigan he’d made it clear to the representatives of one company that this would require a “quid pro quo.” At first Madigan allegedly responded: “Okay . . . very good.”
But later Madigan allegedly advised Solis not to use the phrase “quid pro quo” the next time he spoke to the business people he was shaking down on the speaker’s behalf, instead offering a more elegant pretext.
“You’re just recommending . . . because if they don’t get a good result on their real estate taxes, the whole project will be in trouble . . . Which is not good for your ward. So you want high quality representation.”
To help boost business for his firm, Madigan allegedly agreed to help then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis (25) get appointed to a state board — a job that ideally would pay more than $100,000 annually — in exchange for Solis steering clients to Madigan & Getzendanner.
As part of that agreement, Solis — then the chair of the city council’s zoning committee — floated a complicated plan to transfer a parcel of state-owned land in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood to the city, which the city would then turn around and sell to developers looking to build a hotel. Solis would strongly advise those developers to retain Madigan’s firm.
Both the plan to appoint Solis to a state board and the scheme pass legislation to sell the land in Chinatown hit major snags, never coming to fruition. But what Madigan didn’t know was that Solis was cooperating with the feds and had secretly recorded multiple conversations with the speaker while talking about plans to drive business to Madigan’s law firm.
In one such conversation in 2017, Solis updated Madigan about the progress of an apartment project, telling the speaker that the developer seemed to be open to retaining Madigan & Getzendanner for help.
In one case in June 2017, Madigan asked then-Ald. Danny Solis — who was chair of the city’s zoning committee — to introduce him to the representative of a company that needed to get a zoning change through City Council, according to the indictment. Madigan wanted to “seek business” for his law firm, according to the indictment.
Solis told Madigan representatives of the company would meet with the then-speaker so Madigan could try to get business for his law firm — and the company still needed to “deal with” the alderman for its zoning change, according to the indictment. […]
Also in 2017, a group that wanted to develop a hotel in Chinatown needed to get the state to transfer its ownership of a plot of land to the city so the group could then get it and develop it, according to the indictment. Madigan agreed to use his position to support the passage of legislation that would transfer the land to the city; in exchange, work would be steered toward his law firm, according to the indictment.
“In the past, I have been able to steer some work to Mike [Madigan], and these guys will do the same thing,” Solis told McClain in that case, according to the indictment. McClain then agreed that would Madigan would help get the land transferred to the city, according to prosecutors.
Solis also told Madigan that, if Madigan helped transfer the land, the developers would “appreciate it” and would give Madigan’s firm tax work, according to the indictment. “OK, all right, very good,” Madigan said, according to prosecutors.
Then-Ald. Daniel Solis, who was secretly cooperating with the investigation, recorded numerous conversations with Madigan as part of the Chinatown land probe, including one where the speaker told Solis he was looking for a colleague to sponsor a House bill approving the land sale.
“I have to find out about who would be the proponent in the House,” Madigan allegedly told Solis in the March 2018 conversation. “We gotta find the appropriate person for that. I have to think it through.”
Like the state appointment Solis wanted, that bill went nowhere.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about November 2, 2018, MADIGAN told McCLAIN that “we never settled on a sponsor” for the bill concerning the transfer of the Chinatown parcel, and MADIGAN told McCLAIN that Representative B would be a suitable sponsor for the bill in the House of Representatives because Representative B’s seat was within the Senate district that included the Chinatown parcel. […]
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about November 21, 2018, McCLAIN advised Alderman A that a “major hurdle” to passage of legislation concerning the Chinatown parcel had arisen, in that the Illinois Secretary of State had received petitions from local businesspeople in Chinatown who were opposed to the transfer of the Chinatown parcel, and that the Illinois Secretary of State had reached out to leadership in the Senate to express opposition to the transfer.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about November 23, 2018, after Alderman A advised MADIGAN that there was opposition to legislation providing for the transfer of the Chinatown parcel and that it was best to wait until after upcoming elections and attempt to pass the legislation in May 2019, MADIGAN agreed to do so.
…Adding… Good point…
You gotta' wonder how many more Federal corruption charges might have ensued if the search warrant affidavit in Solis's own corruption case hadn't been accidentally unsealed prematurely. https://t.co/c0jx4Tjd1Nhttps://t.co/0Rg4Ip6h89
Statement from Sheldon Zenner and Gil Soffer, Katten attorneys for Michael Madigan
Neither the law nor the facts support these baseless charges, and the evidence will prove it. Mr. Madigan vehemently rejects the notion that he was involved in criminal activity- before, during or after his long career as a public servant. The government’s overreach in charging him with these alleged crimes is groundless, and we intend to prevail in court.
Statement from Mr. Madigan
I was never involved in any criminal activity. The government is attempting to criminalize a routine constituent service: job recommendations. That is not illegal, and these other charges are equally unfounded. Throughout my 50 years as a public servant, I worked to address the needs of my constituents, always keeping in mind the high standards required and the trust the public placed in me. I adamantly deny these accusations and look back proudly on my time as an elected official, serving the people of Illinois.
* In all the hullaballoo about Madigan, this is kinda getting lost in the shuffle. Via Politico…
STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA REGARDING NEW INDICTMENT AGAINST MIKE McCLAIN; 3-2-22
The Indictment filed today against Mike McClain by the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois is noteworthy in that it is based on many of the same acts that were included in a previous Indictment filed against him in November of 2020. The Government simply repackages these allegations under new theories of wrongdoing.
Added to this legal sleight of hand, the Government now, for the first time, seeks more than $2 million dollars in forfeiture from Mike McClain.
For years, the Government has been trying to force Mike McClain to cooperate in its quest against former Speaker Mike Madigan. These latest charges are nothing more than the Government’s continued attempt to pressure Mike McClain to do the Government’s bidding.
Mike McClain was innocent of the charges when they were first filed in November of 2020. He remains innocent of the recycled and new charges in this latest Indictment. He will never testify falsely about himself or anyone, no matter how many indictments are brought against him. We will fight to prove his innocence
The Government should always seek to justice – to carry out its mission reasonably, equitably, and responsibly. Sadly, it failed to do so today.
Federal law enforcement informed the Governor that he was only a witness, and the Governor agreed to their request to speak to them about his experiences with and knowledge of Mike Madigan.
• The Governor spoke to federal investigators in late February on a voluntary basis.
• The Governor spoke to federal investigators virtually for an hour. He was at his home. There was no time limit on the meeting.
• He answered every question they posed and we encourage you to ask federal authorities for any additional details that they are willing to provide.
• Federal law enforcement asked the Governor to provide information with regard to his interactions with former Speaker Madigan. He was pleased to cooperate and provide information.
* And a reminder that US Attorney Lausch was asked today about the indictment’s allegations that Speaker Madigan had told then-Ald. Solis that he would help him get a position in the Pritzker administration…
There is no allegation in this indictment against the governor or his staff. … There’s no allegation in the indictment that the state board position was actually given.
Following Wednesday’s indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, “The 19” House Democrats who rejected his candidacy for leadership released the following statement:
“Thirteen months ago, we 19 Democrats made clear to our colleagues that we would not support Michael Madigan for speaker. We knew that our chamber, our state, and our party deserved better leadership and the unfolding corruption scandal would only continue to erode public confidence.
“This is a watershed moment for our state that reminds us of the work ahead as the former speaker’s case makes its way through the legal system. We remain grateful to the people who joined us in bringing historic change to our party and our chamber.
“The possibility that this day was coming and would distract us from our work on behalf of the people we serve was top of mind for many of us as we took this position, even as we faced intense pressure to maintain the status quo.
“Our stance eventually led to the historic election of our state’s first Black speaker, who has led our caucus through the process of passing transformative legislation on clean energy, affordable housing, and a truly balanced budget. We are committed to continuing the work of restoring our constituents’ faith in Illinois government.”
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy
State Rep. Deb Conroy
State Rep. Terra Costa Howard
State Rep. Margaret Croke
State Rep. Eva Dina Delgado
State Rep. Daniel Didech
State Rep. Robyn Gabel
State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
State Rep. Will Guzzardi
State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit
State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe
State Rep. Anna Moeller
State Rep. Bob Morgan
State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray
State Rep. Maurice West
State Rep. Ann Williams
State Rep. Kathy Willis
State Rep. Sam Yingling
* Statement from Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), who was one of the 19 and ran for House Speaker…
In a far-reaching and expansive indictment, today former Speaker Michael Madigan has been indicted on 22 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion.
In the fall of 2020, I joined 18 of my colleagues in calling on former Speaker Madigan to step down when it became clear he could no longer effectively lead our caucus in light of the unfolding corruption scandal. When he refused to step aside, I ran for Speaker against Mike Madigan - which ultimately served as a catalyst for change and ushered in new leadership for the first time in decades.
I did this despite strong pushback from colleagues and powerful entrenched interests. It was personally and professionally challenging but needed to happen to protect our Democratic values and the integrity of the Illinois House.
Accountability and integrity should be at the foundation of public service. Unfortunately, this was lost in the pursuit of personal gain and political power. Collaboration and inclusion took a back seat to a culture of cronyism and control.
Although the Illinois General Assembly has accomplished much for the people of the State of Illinois in recent years, the continued corruption scandal put our accomplishments in jeopardy and threatened to thwart continued progress.
The advancement of the priorities and policy goals which reflect Democratic values is why we serve - and must always remain at the forefront.
Following is a statement from State Rep. Kelly Cassidy in response to the indictment of former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan:
“For many years, questions of Speaker Madigan’s involvement in corruption have hung over the work of our chamber and our party. This news comes as we are trying to complete our work in the House on a compressed schedule and I can’t imagine what it would be like to try to do that if he was still the Speaker. This is a sad day, a reminder of a terrible abuse of power that undermined our constituent’s faith in our government. The former Speaker will have his day in court, and the people of the state of Illinois will have an opportunity to learn the full extent of his actions and determine his fate.
“When I first began to speak out, I faced harsh criticism from friends and colleagues alike. Over time, as the steady drip of subpoenas and indictments grew closer and closer to the former Speaker, the ranks of members unwilling to continue to pretend everything was fine grew until 19 members refused to be bullied into voting for him to continue in his role. The actions of the group that came to be known as ‘The 19’ resulted in historic change in our chamber and our party. These members reflect the best of public service and I will forever be thankful to them for taking that brave stance.”
* Rep. Bob Morgan…
“More than a year ago I said that ‘the pervasive culture of mistrust and corruption in Illinois rests at Mike Madigan’s feet’ when I announced my decision to oppose his reelection as Speaker of the House. Today the Department of Justice has announced that there will be accountability for this corruption.
“The challenges that face our country and state are enormous and we must have the people of Illinois strongly behind us to overcome them. The people of Illinois deserve a government they can trust. I will always do my best to live up to their expectations,” said Representative Bob Morgan.
* Rep. Kifowit…
Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has released the following statement on the federal indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan:
The federal indictment of corruption charges against former House Speaker Michael Madigan is disturbing but proof that justice will be served if wrongdoing by elected officials is uncovered.
Now, the legal process will proceed and the courts will weigh the evidence as a trial ensues.
In June 2020, I was one of the first House Democrats to demand that then Speaker Madigan resign after he was implicated in the ComEd scandal as Public Official A.
it was clear to me that the former speaker did not hold the same values that I did, and still do, of what the public expects from a public official.
In October of 2020 I stepped up to be the only person to challenge the former Speaker for the Speakership of the Illinois House at that time. Following that announcement, I was honored to be joined by 18 additional House members who sought change in the Leadership of the Illinois House and in total 22 members voted for a change in leadership.
In calling for former Speaker Madigan’s resignation I said “there will never be another Mike Madigan.” Considering today’s news I believe that more than ever as we have seen that elected public officials have a hold themselves to a high standard.
Under the Speakership of Emmanuel “Chris” Welch, we have been able to restore the public trust in the Illinois General Assembly. I was proud to cast my vote for Speaker Welch.
I can say that things have changed for the better in Springfield. I am proud that I helped start the ball rolling for change by calling for the resignation of former Speaker Madigan and challenging him to give members in the Illinois House a choice for change. The atmosphere in the General Assembly has improved greatly and I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved from comprehensive ethics reform, including term limits for the Speaker of the House, truly balanced budgets, a bill backlog reduced to normal operating levels, two credit upgrades which is the first in 20 years, in addition to comprehensive climate change legislation. I think the people of Illinois can be proud of their state and the future progress that can be achieved under the leadership of Speaker Welch.
* Rep. Costa Howard…
STATEMENT FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE TERRA COSTA HOWARD
Almost two years ago, I followed my conscience and led the call for Michael J. Madigan to resign as Speaker of the House and Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. At that time, he had not been charged with any crime, but I believed that the scandal surging around him demonstrated – at the very least – a massive failure of leadership.
Today’s indictment makes it clear that my concerns were fully justified, and I am deeply grateful that the Illinois House stood firm in removing Madigan as Speaker. Together, we are establishing more trustworthy leadership to assure that the work of the Illinois General Assembly is focused solely on improving the lives of the people who live in our state.
* Rep. Croke…
Today, State Representative Margaret Croke (IL-12) released the following statement in response to the indictment of Michael Madigan:
“Even before I took office, I supported new leadership in Springfield, and I was then proud to be one of the 19 members to force a vote for a new Speaker last year. Speaker Chris Welch has brought a new day to Illinois and a commitment to making our state a more fair, transparent, and honest place for those who call it home.”
* Rep. Didech…
Rep. Daniel Didech (D — Buffalo Grove) released the following statement upon today’s indictment of the former Speaker of the House:
Today’s news confirms that the 19 Democrats who paved the way for a new Speaker of the House made an historically wise decision for the people of Illinois. Our work in the House of Representatives to build a fair and prosperous state will continue without distraction.
* Rep. Maurice West…
“On October 22, 2020 I made a public statement informing my constituents that I would not support Michael J Madigan for Speaker of the House. I was met with extreme praise and criticism statewide and locally - but I held stedfast in my convictions because I knew it was the right thing to do. I ran for State Representative to be different from what is seen in Illinois politics. I am fighting to change the playbook. That is why I am honored to be a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission that works to restore public trust in State government. We are all innocent until proven guilty, so I encourage us all to allow the process to play out.”
* Rep. Gong-Gershowitz…
State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, responded to the news that former House Speaker Michael Madigan was indicted following a wide-ranging investigation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office:
“The indictment of former Speaker Mike Madigan is a sobering moment but comes as no surprise. Over a year ago, I joined a small handful of my colleagues to call on the former Speaker to resign. Eventually that small handful grew to become 19 of us. We believed that restoring public trust far outweighed the political risk of calling on his resignation, and our unity gave us the strength to maintain that position despite enormous pressure to back down. Today is ultimately a vindication for the rule of law and validation of the principle that no one, no matter how powerful or influential, is above it.”
The illegal activities committed by members and associates of the Madigan Enterprise included, but were not limited to: (a) soliciting and receiving bribes and unlawful personal financial advantage from persons and parties having business with the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, or otherwise subject to the authority and powers vested in MADIGAN and other public officials acting on MADIGAN’s behalf; (b) using MADIGAN’s powers as Speaker, including his ability to affect the progress of bills in the House of Representatives, as well as his control over the resources of the Office of the Speaker, including its staff, in order to cause third parties to financially reward MADIGAN, his political allies, political workers, and associates; (c) using threats, intimidation, and extortion to solicit benefits from private parties; and (d) using facilities of interstate commerce to coordinate, plan, and further the goals of the enterprise. In order to carry out its activities, the enterprise utilized individuals employed by and associated with it who had varying roles and responsibilities. […]
MADIGAN was the leader of the enterprise, and used these positions to oversee, direct, and guide certain of the enterprise’s illegal activities. Among other things, MADIGAN utilized his official positions as a Representative and Speaker: (i) to cause various businesses to employ, contract with, and make direct and indirect monetary payments to MADIGAN’s political allies, political workers, and associates as a reward for and to promote their loyalty, association with, and work for MADIGAN, at times in return for little or no legitimate work performed for the benefit of the businesses; and (ii) to solicit and receive from persons and parties having business with the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, or otherwise subject to the authority and powers vested in MADIGAN and other public officials acting on MADIGAN’s behalf, including Alderman A, bribes and unlawful personal financial advantage, including but not limited to fees arising from the retention of his law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner. MADIGAN utilized his positions as Democratic Committeeman for the Thirteenth Ward and Chairman of the Thirteenth Ward Democratic Organization to direct the activities of his political allies and political workers within the Thirteenth Ward, and to maintain his political power for purposes of ensuring his continued retention of his positions as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives and Speaker. MADIGAN utilized his position as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois to influence and garner loyalty from legislators by providing or withholding staff and funding to legislators and their campaigns. MADIGAN utilized his position as a partner in Madigan & Getzendanner to reap the benefits of private legal work unlawfully steered to his law firm. MADIGAN directed the activities of his close friend and associate, McCLAIN, who carried out illegal activity at MADIGAN’s direction.
Ald. A is former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, who was cooperating with the G and wearing a wire. McClain is, of course, Mike McClain. The feds are getting both McClain and Madigan on “racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion.”
* This may be where the IRS comes into play…
It was further part of the conspiracy that documentation would be and was prepared to make it falsely appear that certain payments made for the purpose of bribing MADIGAN were made solely for legitimate commercial purposes.
* More…
It was further part of the conspiracy that the conspirators would and did use coded language in their discussions and used coded references for purposes of discussing fellow conspirators.
It was further part of the conspiracy that the conspirators would and did meet in person and use third parties’ cellular and private telephones in order to reduce law enforcement’s ability to intercept their communications.
* Count Two…
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, MICHAEL J. MADIGAN, defendant herein, did conspire with Michael F. McClain, Anne Pramaggiore, John Hooker, Jay Doherty, Fidel Marquez, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury:
a. to corruptly solicit and demand, and to accept and agree to accept from another person things of value, namely, jobs, contracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and contracts, for the benefit of MADIGAN and his associates, intending that MADIGAN, an agent of the State of Illinois, be influenced and rewarded in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving things of value of $5,000 or more, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(B);
b. to corruptly give, offer, and agree to give things of value, namely, jobs, contracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and contracts, for the benefit of MADIGAN and his associates, with intent to influence and reward MADIGAN, as an agent of the State of Illinois, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving things of value of $5,000 or more, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(2); and
c. knowingly and willfully to circumvent a system of internal accounting controls and to falsify any book, record, and account of Exelon and ComEd, in violation of Title 15, United States Code, Sections 78m(b)(5) and 78ff(a).
A lot of what follows in this count (interns, ghost jobs, board appointments, etc.) is already know, but the prosecutors are now tying everything to Madigan.
* From Count Eight…
It was part of the scheme that MADIGAN agreed to accept business steered by Alderman A towards his private law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner, and in exchange, MADIGAN agreed to assist, in his official capacity as Speaker of the House of Representatives, in advising and inducing the Governor of the State of Illinois to appoint Alderman A to a State board that would pay Alderman A compensation of at least approximately $93,926 a year upon Alderman A’s retirement from the City Council.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about June 20, 2018, MADIGAN met with Alderman A and agreed to assist Alderman A with obtaining an appointment upon his retirement from the City Council to a State board that compensated its board members, in exchange for Alderman A’s assistance in steering business towards MADIGAN’s private law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about July 11, 2018, MADIGAN caused information concerning State board positions, including the composition of each State board, how board members were appointed, board terms, and board compensation, to be delivered to Alderman A’s office.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about July 23, 2018, at MADIGAN’s request, Alderman A contacted Individual A-1, and asked Individual A-1 to meet with MADIGAN so that MADIGAN could introduce himself for purposes of obtaining legal business from Individual A-1.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about August 2, 2018, MADIGAN met with Alderman A, and during the meeting: (a) Alderman A explained that he was most interested in appointment to a State board that would pay him over $100,000 a year; (b) MADIGAN explained that he would assist Alderman A in obtaining an appointment to a State board by “go[ing] to [the future Governor of the State of Illinois]. That’s what I would do. . . . So you’d come in as [the future Governor’s] recommendation;” (c) Alderman A assured MADIGAN that “there’s a lot of good stuff happening in my ward” and that he would help MADIGAN obtain legal business for his private law firm; and (d) MADIGAN in return assured Alderman A that he would help him obtain a State board appointment by telling Alderman A, “Just leave it in my hands,” and asked that Alderman A also help a relative of MADIGAN and the relative’s employer obtain business from Organization B.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about August 3, 2018, MADIGAN contacted Alderman A’s assistant to check on the status of the planned meeting with Individual A-1.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about August 15, 2018, MADIGAN contacted Alderman A to check on the status of the planned meeting with Individual A-1, and asked Alderman A to convince Individual A-1 to provide MADIGAN legal business for a specific commercial real property located in Chicago that MADIGAN believed Company A to have an interest in.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about August 21, 2018, MADIGAN caused an assistant to send an email to Alderman A’s assistant that confirmed that MADIGAN would be available to meet with Individual A-1 on September 4, 2018.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about August 31, 2018, at MADIGAN’s request, Alderman A advised Individual A-1 that MADIGAN was interested in obtaining tax work for a specific piece of commercial real property
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about September 4, 2018, MADIGAN met with Alderman A and Individual A-1 at his law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner, for the purpose of MADIGAN soliciting business for his private law firm from Company A.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about October 9, 2018, based on MADIGAN’s request, Alderman A contacted Individual A-1.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about October 26, 2018, MADIGAN met with Alderman A, and after Alderman A advised MADIGAN that Individual A-1 had agreed to give MADIGAN’s law firm business, MADIGAN assured Alderman A that he would advise and induce the Governor of Illinois to appoint Alderman A to a State board.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about November 23, 2018, MADIGAN met with Alderman A, and during the meeting: (a) Alderman A advised MADIGAN that he would not run for re-election, but was still committed to generating additional business for MADIGAN’s law firm; (b) MADIGAN thanked Alderman A and asked Alderman A, “Do you wanna go forward now on one of those state appointments?”; (c) MADIGAN asked for Alderman A’s resume, “Because I wanna have a meeting with [the Governor-elect] the week after next”; (d) MADIGAN explained that MADIGAN wanted to let the Governor-elect “know what’s coming next,” but that his communication with the Governor-elect did not “need to be in writing. I can just verbally tell him”; and (e) after Alderman A indicated a relative was interested in a State job, MADIGAN asked for the relative’s resume as well.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about December 1, 2018, MADIGAN called Alderman A and confirmed Alderman A’s interest in being appointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission or the Illinois Labor Relations Board.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about December 4, 2018, pursuant to MADIGAN’s earlier request for Alderman A’s and Alderman A’s relative’s resumes, Alderman A’s assistant emailed copies of these resumes to an assistant who worked at the Thirteenth Ward Office.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about December 4, 2018, an assistant who worked at the Thirteenth Ward Office emailed the resumes for Alderman A and Alderman A’s relative to MADIGAN’s assistant at Madigan & Getzendanner.
It was further part of the scheme that, on or about December 4, 2018, MADIGAN met with the Governor-elect for the State of Illinois to discuss, among other things, the composition of the State boards.
It was further part of the scheme that MADIGAN concealed, misrepresented, and hid and caused to be concealed, misrepresented and hidden, the existence and purpose of the scheme and the acts done in furtherance of the scheme.
Obviously, Solis didn’t get any such appointment.
* From Emily Bittner at the governor’s office…
The Governor does not recall Michael Madigan ever asking him to consider Danny Solis for any position. In addition, the administration has no record of Solis being recommended by Madigan. In addition, he was never vetted, appointed or hired for any role in the administration.
* US Attorney Lausch was asked about the Pritzker administration job…
There is no allegation in this indictment against the governor or his staff. … There’s no allegation in the indictment that the state board position was actually given.
*** UPDATE *** From Emily Bittner at the governor’s office…
The Governor does not recall Michael Madigan ever asking him to consider Danny Solis for any position. In addition, the administration has no record of Solis being recommended by Madigan. In addition, he was never vetted, appointed or hired for any role in the administration.
* US Attorney Lausch was asked about the Pritzker administration job…
There is no allegation in this indictment against the governor or his staff. … There’s no allegation in the indictment that the state board position was actually given.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From a media event earlier this afternoon just as news was beginning to break that former House Speaker Michael Madigan had been indicted…
Q: The ABC seven team has confirmed that it is Mike Madigan who is going to be indicted by the feds. Can we get your reaction?
Gov. Pritzker: Well, first of all, I’ve been saying for years now that we’ve got to root out corruption wherever it exists in government. It’s why we’ve passed and I’ve signed ethics reforms in the state of Illinois. But anybody who is guilty of corruption or corrupt acts in this state should be held to the fullest extent of the law accountable for their actions.
Mayor Lightfoot: And I would just say, let’s not get ahead of the facts. I’m, as you know, I’m a former federal prosecutor. I want to see what the US Attorney’s Office has to say and what the specifics are, and then we’ll have a more formal comment at that time. I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to get into the substance, based upon press speculation about something that we don’t know. And we haven’t gotten confirmation from from the US attorney, and we’ll see what happens at 430. And then we’ll respond.
Q: Governor, could you further comment? You have been somebody who described your relationship, I guess, is what I’m asking with Madigan at this point in time, how it has been, he is no longer the speaker, of course, but he was such a mainstay, you sort of seemed to keep a distance from him, but not completely. How did you navigate that? And what do you think that this says about the nature of Illinois politics?
Pritzker: Well, when you become governor, and there is a Speaker of the House, and there is a Senate President, you need to work with the leaders in the General Assembly. So let’s start with that. I think, again, I have heard accusations over time, as you know, and as you just acknowledged, I have kept my distance. And very importantly, I really have believed and you’ve heard me say it over and over again, to push legislation, that we have got to root out these people in public office if they have committed acts of corruption. And so that’s what I’ve been pushing. You heard me say in the State of the State Address not very long ago, I’ve signed legislation very recently on it. And you know, as the mayor just said, I don’t know the facts, what we’re gonna hear at the press conference later today. But if it is as you describe, you know, again, whoever it is, in whatever level of office in the state of Illinois, if you’re committing acts of corruption, you’ve got to go.
Q: Governor. Speaker Madigan, obviously was in office to help pass some of the landmark legislation that you got through and your first year in office. Does does this indictment taint any of that legislation in your mind?
Pritzker: The legislation that I’ve gotten passed over the course of the last three years, for the most part has gotten overwhelming support, sometimes bipartisan, overwhelming support. So look, I attribute that to running a campaign that’s about issues, convincing people who live in the districts of the people who voted for it, that they ought to vote for it, and making sure that you’ve got a steady course toward changing and uplifting the state of Illinois and putting working families in charge.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
* Leader Durkin…
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin offered the following statement after news broke that former House Speaker Michael Madigan has been indicted:
“Illinois deserves better. This is another chapter in the sad story of corruption that has pervaded every corner of the state that was touched by Mike Madigan and his Democrat enablers and has dismantled true democracy in Illinois. Today, the same Democrats who empowered Madigan are still blocking real ethics reform just like they blocked the Special Investigating Committee that was created to get to the bottom of Madigan’s corrupt activities.”
* Jesse Sullivan…
“The announcement of this indictment of former Democrat House Speaker Michael Madigan has been a long time coming. Madigan is the very face of Illinois corruption. He leveraged his position as House speaker to gain new business for his property tax firm. And he orchestrated a pay to play scheme with ComEd, diverting thousands of dollars to his favorite lobbyists to gain his support for legislation in Springfield.
At a time when Gov. J.B. Pritzker is using taxpayer money to remove a patronage watchdog over his administration, we are reminded once again that career politicians and political insiders cannot be trusted to have the best interests of Illinoisans at heart. Now more than ever, we need to elect a political outsider to clean up the Springfield swamp, and to return power to the people of our great state.”
Obviously, this post will be updated.
…Adding… Richard Irvin…
“Speaker Madigan’s destructive 40-year reign over Illinois government is now reaching its next logical point – the inside of a federal courtroom.
“For decades, the Speaker has run roughshod over the people of Illinois for his own personal gain and even as the feds began circling, Governor J.B. Pritzker stood by enabling Madigan with millions in campaign contributions and even telling voters ‘the people of Illinois should be grateful for having Mike Madigan as Speaker of the House.”
“It’s time we put a stop to the Pritzker-Madigan corruption that has been plaguing this state for decades, and the only way we can do that is to change our government from within and get rid of the politicians like J.B. Pritzker who continues enabling the Mike Madigans of the world.”
* Shannon Teresi…
Mike Madigan has been indicted, and yet his cronies like Susana Mendoza still fill the ranks of Illinois politics. While Madigan has not been in office since his corruption was brought into the public eye, career politician Susana Mendoza, who has referred to Madigan as her “mentor” and even nominated him for Speaker, has many questions she needs to answer now.
Comptroller candidate Shannon Teresi released the following statement following the announcement of Madigan’s indictment:
“Mike Madigan may no longer be in office, but his iron grip and influence can still be seen in the abuse of taxpayer dollars that his proteges like Susana Mendoza continue to promote. Mendoza has continued Madigan’s tradition of treating taxpayer dollars like a bottomless piggy bank by sugar-coating the state’s financial statements and calling that progress. As he now sits facing indictment, Madigan’s hand-picked Comptroller Mendoza must answer for her decades-long association with Madigan the corrupt power-broker or be disqualified for office.”
* Leader McConchie…
Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie releases the below statement following former Speaker Michael Madigan’s indictment:
“Madigan’s indictment is testament to the outstanding work of federal investigators, who have taken tremendous steps in the long process of rooting out public corruption in Illinois. However, the people of Illinois shouldn’t have to rely on the Feds to continuously clean up the state’s mess. Today’s announcement underscores the need to empower officials here in Illinois to investigate and prosecute misconduct and corruption of its own public officials. Senate Republicans, as they have for several years now, continue to advocate for the use of a statewide grand jury so we are no longer beholden to the federal government, and we can begin to restore the public’s trust within our own capacity.”
* Class action lawyers…
Please see statement below from Attorneys Stephan Blandin of Romanucci & Blandin and Adam Levitt of Dicello Levitt & Gutzler, who are co-lead counsel on the class action lawsuit against ComEd for the harm to Illinois consumers and businesses by ComEd’s admitted bribery of state officials:
“ComEd bribed Michael Madigan because companies like ComEd know that they can profit by bribing governmental officials. State Farm was alleged to have bribed a Supreme Court Justice. Governor Blagojevich was allegedly bribed by the horse racing industry for favorable legislation. ComEd has admitted to bribing Madigan and has been allowed to keep billions in profits arising from the formula rate legislation and other legislation that ComEd paid Madigan to enact. Politicians will never be beyond reproach. The only way to stop companies like ComEd from bribing politicians is to remove companies’ profit incentive from being allowed to do so. We believe that our lawsuit—presently pending in the Illinois Court of Appeals—will hold ComEd accountable for its millions of Illinois customers who were economically damaged because it its admitted bribery scheme.”
* ILGOP…
The following statement is from ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy in response to the indictment of former Speaker Mike Madigan on federal charges of racketeering:
“For many years, Illinois Democrats across the state – from Governor JB Pritzker on down – supported, enabled, and kissed the ring of Mike Madigan as he built a corrupt state government that served to enrich his allies and special interests while Illinois crumbled. Illinois is a diminished state and a laughing stock for the rest of the nation because Mike Madigan cared more about holding on to power than serving the interests of its citizens - and because elected Democrats across the state supported him.
The Illinois Republican Party is committed to exposing and defeating every last Democrat still around that accepted Madigan’s money, voted Madigan’s way, or defended him as the leader of their party. The list of those needing to be held accountable for what happened is long, and it starts with Governor JB Pritzker.”
* Rodney Davis…
U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) issued the following statement after news outlets reported that former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was indicted today on federal corruption charges:
“The indictment of Mike Madigan on federal corruption charges is a long time coming. The people of Illinois have known for years that Madigan was corrupt to his core and that he used state government to benefit himself and his political machine. Governor J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats refused to admit this truth publicly because they enabled Madigan’s corruption, and some were complicit in it.
“Pritzker himself bankrolled Madigan’s political machine and placed his patronage hires throughout state government. Madigan allies like Pritzker and others will have to answer for what they’ve done, but for now, the people of Illinois deserve justice for the corruption they were forced to live under for so long.
“God bless the brave federal prosecutors and law enforcement officers and their work to restore the public’s trust in the State of Illinois.”
* Senate President Harmon…
Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“These are obviously disturbing allegations. I have confidence in our system of justice. Like everyone else, I will be watching to see how this unfolds.”
* Rep. Brady…
Secretary of State Candidate Dan Brady Statement on Indictment of former House Speaker Mike Madigan
“The indictment of former House Speaker Mike Madigan is a dark day for Illinois Government.
Todays indictment uncovers how the former Speaker leveraged his position as House Speaker to personally benefit him and his allies. Now, more than ever, it is important that we elect leaders who will put the people of Illinois above their special interest pals. As Secretary of State, I will always put the people of Illinois first and make sure that government works for them not special interest.”
* Milhiser…
John Milhiser released the following statement following the announcement of Madigan’s indictment:
“What has been known to people in Illinois for decades is now official: Mike Madigan is going on trial for public corruption. The culture of corruption and cronyism he fostered has been a poison on state government that needs to be cured. We need leaders who have a proven track record of rooting out corruption in state government, and that is why I am running for Secretary of State: to restore the trust in state government career politicians like Madigan have stripped away with their backroom deals taking advantage of the taxpayer.”
* Gov. Pritzker…
An indictment of this magnitude is a condemnation of a system infected with promises of pay-to-play, and the era of corruption and self-dealing among Illinois politicians must end. The conduct alleged in this indictment is deplorable and a stark violation of the public’s trust. Michael Madigan must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Ultimately, every person in elected office is responsible for doing the right thing – and not lining their own pockets. I am fully committed to eradicate the scourge of corruption from our political system, and today’s indictment is an important step in cleaning up Illinois. I have faith that our justice system will help restore the public’s trust in government.
When I ran for office, I made clear that I would be beholden to no one, and that I would serve the best interests of the people of Illinois. I have upheld that vow. For the past three years, my administration has made clear that such abuses will not be tolerated, and we’ve tightened our ethics laws. I will continue to work with the General Assembly to restore the public’s trust.
* Speaker Welch…
As Chair of the Special Investigating Committee, I made it clear that this matter needed to be handled in a court of law, completely separate from the legislature. As is evident by this federal indictment, the full weight of the justice system was needed to ensure all charges are investigated properly and thoroughly. At my direction, the Office of the Speaker has fully cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so.
* Paul Schimpf…
“When given the opportunity to stand up to corruption, Governor Pritzker failed. While I’ve consistently stood against corruption throughout my legislative career, the Governor bowed down and kissed Madigan’s ring when it was advantageous for him. No amount of revisionist history gives the Governor the right to clutch his pearls now. My hope is that this is the dawn of a new day in Illinois. Our state has a long history of corruption, and we can see the effects in our communities. I’m running for governor because I believe Illinois residents are fed up with the status quo system that has failed our state’s families for decades.”
* Steve Kim…
“The indictment of Mike Madigan is a major step in tackling the culture of corruption that has become pervasive in Illinois politics,” said Attorney General candidate Steve Kim on the news of Madigan’s indictment. “His transgressions are now in the open and politicians who have worked alongside him need to know: the people of Illinois are fed up with being taken advantage of for the gain of career politicians. I am running to be the people’s attorney, and that means taking a stand against public corruption, unlike our current Attorney General who has remained on the sidelines throughout this process. The indictment of Mike Madigan doesn’t mean corruption in Illinois has come to an end. As Attorney General, I will continue to focus on bringing corrupt politicians to justice.”
* Jim Nowlan…
“For decades, Mike Madigan and Ed Burke, now BOTH indicted on public corruption charges, have done whatever it takes to maintain their iron grip on this state’s Supreme Court. From corralling donations from groups that try cases in front of the court, to ensuring the court’s rulings would benefit themselves, nothing was too low for Madigan and Burke and we are seeing exactly just how low they were willing to go now.
“Make no mistake, Madigan remains on the ballot in this year’s judicial elections. Justice Tom Kilbride was rejected by the voters in 2020 because of his association with Madigan and the controversial cases in which he was the deciding vote, always in Madigan’s favor. Now, the new crop of Madigan pawns are running for the bench. Nancy Rotering, Elizabeth Rochford, and Mary Kay O’Brien are just the latest in a string of Madigan Machine candidates, making the open 2nd and 3rd District seats that much more important for the future of Illinois.
“The connection speaks for itself, and none of the Democratic candidates can run from their Madigan Machine ties. Mary Kay O’Brien was a proud member of Madigan’s caucus before Madigan’s allies engineered her appointment to the appellate court. Elizabeth Rochford contributed money to Alderman Ed Burke’s campaign as a sitting Lake County Judge AFTER Burke was indicted for public corruption. Nancy Rotering has been feeding from the trough of Madigan Machine donors and interest groups in each of her previous unsuccessful campaigns for Congress and Attorney General.
“Voters will have a decision to make in November: continue with the same Madigan Machine politics that have imposed their will on this state for decades, or start anew, with independent legal minds guiding us to a brighter future.”
* People’s Coalition Map…
The following is a statement from The People’s Coalition Map on the indictment of Michael Madigan and its implications for Chicago’s redistricting referendum:
“Today’s federal indictment of Michael Madigan is a clear reminder that the days of his iron grip on our state and on this city are over. That’s why it’s appalling that the City and the Rules Committee continue to support a faulty map, drawn in a backroom deal by Madigan’s top lawyer, Mike Kasper.
“The City’s map protects the entrenched interests of indicted aldermen like Ed Burke, which comes as no surprise based on who’s drawing it. Their map was created without real public input or feedback. And, it continues to carve up communities based on what’s best for Aldermen, not what’s best for the people.
“People should choose their representatives. Representatives shouldn’t choose their people.”
* DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Rep. Robin Kelly released the following statement regarding today’s announcement that former DPI Chair Michael J. Madigan has been indicted:
“For the past year, I have been honored to lead our party as the first person of color and the first woman to chair the Democratic Party of Illinois. The DPI is committed to building a party that is more transparent, more diverse, and more inclusive in everything we do. Today’s announcement is a stark reminder that elected leaders must hold themselves to the highest ethical standards. We will observe the legal process as it unfolds, but there can be no tolerance of anyone guilty of violating the public trust. While he stepped down as party chair more than a year ago, Michael J. Madigan remains a State Central Committeeman from the 3rd Congressional District. He should resign from that position as well.
“Since I became chair a year ago, our focus has been on electing Democrats up and down the ticket across Illinois and continuing to fight for the things all Democrats believe in, including raising wages, lowering costs, defending reproductive choice, protecting the environment, investing in our infrastructure, providing high quality education for all, and more. We will not let actions of the past distract us from our mission in 2022 and beyond.”
* Kaegi…
Following is a statement from Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi regarding the indictment of Michael J. Madigan:
“Today’s news has been a long time coming. Even out of office, Michael Madigan still holds sway over parts of the political power structure of Illinois and the money that swirls around it.
“I ran for Assessor as a progressive Democrat because I was tired of the corruption and favoritism of the Madigan political power structure, which this indictment says extended to his work in a law firm that specializes in property tax appeals. I believed there was a better way, and I’m delivering on that promise.
“This indictment outlines a pattern of behavior that extends beyond just one man. It should signal to those who continue to practice Madigan’s brand of politics that it is time for them to leave the stage.
“The personal and professional ties of too many politicians have created a corrupt morass that our state has not fully escaped from, even today. Middle-class families continue to suffer because of it. It’s long past time to turn the page on Illinois’ corrupt past once and for all.
“For our party to truly be the Democratic Party, we must not only say we are on the side of middle-class people, but also take the actions to prove it. We must be dedicated to rooting out corruption wherever it remains. We must break away from the power and money that supported the type of politics that Madigan symbolizes and many others still practice.
“If this indictment means corrupt practices that benefit the few at the expense of the many will be left in the past, then this will be a day worth celebrating.”
* Ald. Sigcho-Lopez…
The following is a statement from Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez on Michael Madigan’s indictment and the ramifications of Solis-Madigan corruption:
“Today’s federal indictment of Michael Madigan is especially significant for the 25th ward as new evidence has been revealed about the corruption and pay-to-play politics that my predecessor, Danny Solis, subjected our communities to for years.
“Solis’ name is mentioned 58 times in Madigan’s indictment, and time will surely tell the extent of their corruption. Corruption, which has a very real cost for Chicagoans. Here in the 25th ward, we are still cleaning up the mess Solis left behind.
“Moving forward, we need to create more safeguards against public corruption through city and state legislation that prevents indicted elected officials from using campaign dollars to fund their criminal defense and ethics reform that closes campaign finance loopholes that allow wealthy corporations to influence the outcome of elections. Passing these reforms is how Illinois will show that we’ve truly come out from behind Madigan’s shadow.”
* Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago)…
In a far-reaching and expansive indictment, today former Speaker Michael Madigan has been indicted on 22 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion.
In the fall of 2020, I joined 18 of my colleagues in calling on former Speaker Madigan to step down when it became clear he could no longer effectively lead our caucus in light of the unfolding corruption scandal. When he refused to step aside, I ran for Speaker against Mike Madigan - which ultimately served as a catalyst for change and ushered in new leadership for the first time in decades.
I did this despite strong pushback from colleagues and powerful entrenched interests. It was personally and professionally challenging but needed to happen to protect our Democratic values and the integrity of the Illinois House.
Accountability and integrity should be at the foundation of public service. Unfortunately, this was lost in the pursuit of personal gain and political power. Collaboration and inclusion took a back seat to a culture of cronyism and control.
Although the Illinois General Assembly has accomplished much for the people of the State of Illinois in recent years, the continued corruption scandal put our accomplishments in jeopardy and threatened to thwart continued progress.
The advancement of the priorities and policy goals which reflect Democratic values is why we serve - and must always remain at the forefront.
* Nancy Rotering…
“Today’s indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is a welcome continuation of the fight against corruption in Illinois government. As someone who repeatedly called for Speaker Madigan to step down four years ago, I hope that today’s indictment serves as a warning to anyone else thinking that ethical and legal failings of the past will go away with time. They should and will be held accountable. The decades-long abuses of power by Mike Madigan, Ed Burke, Joe Berrios, and others have diminished trust in the democratic process, damaged Illinois’ reputation, and cost residents and businesses an incalculable amount.” - Mayor Nancy Rotering, Candidate for Illinois Supreme Court District 2
–
* Comments will be turned on at the time of the announcement to prevent any wild speculation…
U.S. Attorney’s Office to Hold News Conference Today at 4:30 p.m.
Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and IRS Criminal Investigation Division will hold a news conference today at 4:30 p.m. to announce an indictment in a public corruption investigation.
The news conference will be held at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 9th-floor Press Room, Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago IL 60604.
Media credentials and masks will be required to enter the building and access the news conference.
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
Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS-CI Chicago Field Office
WHAT: The officials will announce an indictment in a public corruption investigation.
WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office, 9th-floor Press Room, Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago IL 60604
Media credentials and masks will be required to enter the building and access the news conference.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 4:30 p.m.
Press Room opens at 3:45 p.m.
*** UPDATE 1 *** This rumor has been hot as heck all week. Tribune…
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, for decades the most powerful politician in the state, was indicted Wednesday on federal racketeering charges alleging an array of bribery schemes aimed at using the power of his office for personal gain, sources told the Tribune.
The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury after a more than two-year investigation, sources said.
The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury after a more than two-year investigation, according to federal prosecutors. Among the alleged schemes outlined in the indictment was a plan by utility giant Commonwealth Edison to pay thousands of dollars to lobbyists favored by Madigan in order to win his influence over legislation the company wanted passed in Springfield.
The indictment also accused Madigan of illegally soliciting business for his private property tax law firm during discussions to turn a state-owned parcel of land in Chinatown into a commercial development.
Though the land deal never was consummated, it’s been a source of continued interest for federal investigators, who in 2020 subpoenaed Madigan’s office for records and communications he’d had with key players.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Uh-oh…
It says Madigan said he would help Solis get a lucrative state board appointment by going to "[the future Governor of the State of Illinois]."
In November 2018, Madigan allegedly asked for Solis' resume "because I wanna have a meeting with" Pritzker. He allegedly said his communication with Pritzker did not "need to be in writing. I can just verbally tell him." pic.twitter.com/uL52gGql7P
With this new indictment, the feds really seem to be putting the squeeze on Michael McClain to cooperate. If he doesn't, he's going to be left to fight both the racketeering case with Madigan and the separate ComEd bribery case, set for trial in September.
A federal grand jury in Chicago today indicted former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives MICHAEL J. MADIGAN on racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates.
The 22-count indictment accuses Madigan of leading for nearly a decade a criminal enterprise whose purpose was to enhance Madigan’s political power and financial well-being while also generating income for his political allies and associates. The charges allege that Madigan, who served as Speaker and occupied a number of other roles, including 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, used these positions to further the goals of the criminal enterprise. The indictment alleges that Madigan directed the activities of his close friend – co-defendant MICHAEL F. MCCLAIN – and that McClain carried out illegal activities at Madigan’s behest. Madigan and McClain allegedly caused various businesses, including the utility company Commonwealth Edison, to make monetary payments to Madigan’s associates as a reward for their loyalty to Madigan, at times in return for performing little or no legitimate work for the businesses.
Madigan, McClain, and other members of the enterprise allegedly unlawfully solicited benefits from businesses and other private parties. The indictment accuses Madigan of engaging in multiple schemes to reap the benefits of private legal work unlawfully steered to his law firm, including legal work from those with business before the State of Illinois and City of Chicago.
Madigan, 79, of Chicago, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. McClain, 74, of Quincy, Ill., is charged with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery and wire fraud.
Arraignments in U.S. District Court in Chicago have not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was 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 Field Office of the FBI; and Justin Campbell, 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, Michelle Kramer, and Julia Schwartz.
“Corruption by an elected official and his associates undermines the public’s confidence in our government,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful private gain. Rooting out and prosecuting the kind of corruption alleged in the indictment will always be a top priority for this office.”
“Our elected officials swear an oath to carry out the duties of their office,” said FBI SAC Buie. “When they dishonor that oath, it erodes the trust we have in our officials to do the right thing for our communities, and the FBI and its partners stand ready to stamp out corruption at any level of government.”
“IRS Criminal Investigation provides financial investigative expertise in our work with our law enforcement partners,” said IRS-CI SAC Campbell. “Our hallmark expertise in following the money trail in this type of case shows our agency is committed to rooting out public corruption. Today’s indictment underscores our commitment to this work in a collaborative effort to promote honest and ethical government at all levels, and to prosecute those who allegedly violate the public’s trust.”
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
You know, I don’t feel like that’s the public’s, if we’ve got to, I don’t feel like that’s the public’s business to know that. I feel that that’s my business, it’s my private business. And I just don’t see, I’ve never sought or demanded or saw the need for any public official to do that. So I have no intentions of doing that.
* The Question: Do you think candidates should be required by the state to release their income tax returns? You can also specify the level of office where disclosure should be required. Take the two-part poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
State Rep. William Davis’ legislation allows Chicago principals to unionize to have more power at the bargaining table with Chicago Public Schools.
The legislation amends the Illinois School Code to make principals eligible for collective bargaining. Principals are considered “supervisors” in Illinois which does not give them the ability to collectively bargain. House Bill 5107 would change that language. […]
The bill also includes language that would prohibit the principals from striking at any point.
Davis’ bill was passed through the House by a vote of 63-35 and now could be taken up by the Illinois Senate.
Democrats who took a walk on the roll call included Reps. Andrade, Croke, Delgado, Mayfield, Ness, Robinson, Ann Williams and Yednock. Two Democrats voted “Present,” Hurley and Zalewski.
A bill meant to stem nutrient pollution resulting from farm runoff has met opposition from a formidable foe – the Illinois Farm Bureau – as negotiations on a final package continue.
Nutrient loss is one of the most serious pollution threats in the country, creating a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, poisoning local lakes and streams and causing serious health problems for people and domesticated animals.
Illinois, a major contributor to nutrients in water, pledged to develop strategies to reduce the nutrient loads leaving the border.
The state aimed to reduce nitrates and nitrogen by 15% and phosphorus by 25% by 2025, but the latest Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Implementation Report showed that nutrient loss increased by 13% and phosphorus losses increased by 35%, compared with a baseline period from 1980 to 1996.
The bill, Senate Bill 3471, was introduced in January, but was amended in early February, changing substantively from its original form that funded a program incentivizing the planting of cover crops by offering discounts on crop insurance.
* Safer Foundation…
Amendment 2 to HB2538 would require general contractors to obtain a State license. A provision in the bill allows the State to deny a license to a general contractor who has a felony conviction. That means that a general contractor with a felony conviction who has been operating without incident for years with a local license could be put out of business by this bill.
There is no good policy to support this barrier. In fact, creating barriers to employment for justice-involved individuals is bad policy. Post-release employment is a key predictor of whether a formerly incarcerated individual will recidivate. Further, statistics show that:
“States which consider license applications from returning citizens are demonstrably safer. In states willing to consider applications from [persons with felony convictions], the recidivism rate declined by 4.2 percent; in the 29 states where licensing boards outright reject applications from [persons with felony convictions], the recidivism rate actually rose by 9.4 percent.”[i]
Recent legislation in Illinois, including PA 100-0286, has recognized such data by lowering the barriers to the issuance of occupational licenses to the formerly incarcerated. This bill not only reverses a portion of the benefits gained by this trend, it also threatens to put existing general contractors out of business – for no reason supported by objective evidence.
HB2538 would create bad policy that would have a bad outcome for Illinois. Worse, it would put existing general contractors who have been operating without incident for years out of business. It should be defeated.
A new bill in Springfield would change the way Illinois school districts solicit food service contracts, allowing officials to negotiate for higher quality products amid complaints that many schools offer unhealthy food.
As state law stands, Illinois school districts participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program are required to accept the lowest bid for their food contracts. Oftentimes that means districts can’t push for better options since vendors know the lowest bid wins.
Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, is sponsoring a bill that would carve out exemptions from those procurement requirements for schools, much like has been done for transportation services.
“To say that it must be the lowest-rate food, the cheapest-quality food, and that is the metric by which we are determining what our children are putting into their bodies every day, I just think that we can do better,” Gordon-Booth said.
* This bill hasn’t yet made it out of committee, but its passage deadline was extended yesterday to the end of the month…
A proposed bill in the Illinois statehouse would expand access to health care for thousands of people.
Dubbed Healthy Illinois For All, the proposal would add an estimated nearly 150,000 low-income people to the state’s Medicaid health insurance program. This group includes people who are undocumented or have been legal residents for fewer than five years and are 19 to 54 years old. These are the last populations in Illinois who aren’t eligible for Medicaid, or for insurance through the Affordable Care Act, according to the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, which is part of the Healthy Illinois campaign.
Glo Choi, who is undocumented and came to the U.S. from Korea as a boy, was among several community organizers, advocates and lawmakers who supported the proposal at a news conference on Monday. He spoke of his 27-year-old sister, who has severe autism and can’t live independently. […]
Advocates say the proposed bill would not only increase health care access for people, but it would also save money. They argue that many uninsured patients wouldn’t avoid going to the doctor until they’re so sick that they’re more expensive to treat.
* High Speed Rail Alliance…
In February, Representative Moylan introduced HB 5695 and Senator Stadelman introduced a companion bill, SB 4174, which would appropriate $18 million for the development of an integrated passenger rail network in Illinois.
Please ask your representatives in Springfield to support these bills.
These bills come on the heels of last year’s creation of the Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission and would be another important step towards the creation of an integrated high-speed rail network.
The bill includes three related appropriations:
1. $3 million to IDOT’s Rail Division to hire additional employees.
2. $5 million for the Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission for support and planning purposes.
3. $10 million to IDOT for engineering support.
This funding would help Illinois advance planning for a statewide network, which would help the state take advantage of the unprecedented level of funding in the recently passed infrastructure bill. As the home of the nation’s railroad hub, Illinois should be moving quickly to secure federal funding and become a leader by developing a high-speed rail network for the Midwest.
Voice your support by contacting your legislators. We need your help to advance an integrated high-speed rail network in Illinois.
* Now that Arne Duncan has said he won’t run for mayor of Chicago, Rep. Kam Buckner is even more actively floating his own name. From Fran Spielman at the Sun-Times…
“You’re gonna see a whole new generation kind of step up here because a lot of the old stand-bys are just not there anymore,” [political strategist Pete Giangreco] said.
“Is it somebody like a [Illinois state Rep.] Kam Buckner? Is it somebody who’s been around the block like [U.S. Rep.] Mike Quigley? Those are two names that are gonna get a lot of talk because they’re both people who are focused on getting things done and not so much on getting their name in the paper.”
Buckner told the Sun-Times he is “strongly considering” a 2023 mayoral run.
“Being the mayor of Chicago is the greatest job in American politics. It requires some real intentional thought for those of us who are undertaking that process,” Buckner said.
“Arne did that. Arne arrived at his decision. I’m going through the same process that he did. He would have made a formidable candidate, and so there may be a lane there. … I don’t know that it makes me more likely to run, but it does change the political calculations for many folks.”
The truth is Richard Irvin is a career Democrat who won’t say where he stands on major issues like the Second Amendment, life and more. That’s because he isn’t a conservative. He’s a liberal being handled by the same deceptive campaign team that helped deliver taxpayer-funded abortion and that made Illinois a sanctuary state. I want you to think about that a minute. Friends, we can’t afford another four years of JB Pritzker. And even worse, we can’t afford more liberal, much less successful version of Rauner.
While true that several of Irvin’s team members got Rauner elected in 2014, they had either quit or were fired by the time the taxpayer-funded abortion and the misnamed “sanctuary state” bills were signed into law.
* Speaking of Bailey, this doesn’t mean a whole lot if it’s not on broadcast TV…
We’re punching back on career Democrat Irvin’s lying campaign. While he was ‘passionately’ standing with BLM, enforcing mandates and praising Pritzker. I was standing up and fighting for YOU. And the only one in this race to raise taxes in Springfield is his running mate. #twillpic.twitter.com/RQUC76kO5D
— Darren Bailey for Governor (@DarrenBaileyIL) March 1, 2022
* DPI…
Weeks have passed since Richard Irvin flunked his first and only set of interviews. Despite promising members of the media and voters alike that he would be available soon, he continues to leave questions unanswered about his record.
Irvin has gone back into hiding so he doesn’t have to face his fellow GOP candidates and explain his flip flops on everything from COVID-19 mitigations to his support of Gov. JB Pritzker.
He doesn’t want to talk about his history of profiting off of keeping violent abusers out of jail, and can’t explain why he accepted $20 million from Ken Griffin after learning Griffin has millions invested in the gun manufacturing companies that are responsible for one out of every four guns recovered from Chicago homicides in the past five years.
As the head of the Rauner Reboot slate, Irvin is charged with leading the ticket that would drag our state back to the devastation and disinvestment of the Rauner years. So why Irvin so scared of facing voters or reporters?
Where is Richard Irvin and when will he come out of hiding again?
* Press release…
Today, Nikki Budzinski, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, joined 22 Governors of both parties in calling for the immediate passage of the Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors for America Act, or CHIPS Act. This bipartisan legislation that garnered 68 votes in the Senate last year would help to boost US manufacturing capabilities of semiconductors, alleviate supply chain issues and decrease our dependence on foreign adversaries like China.
Illinois is an optimal location for semiconductor manufacturing. The state has convenient access to the needed natural resources, is an ideal manufacturing location in the center of the country, and has a highly trained and educated workforce. There is a bipartisan bill going through Congress now that would offer incentives for manufacturers to begin producing semiconductors in Illinois.
Nikki Budzinski made the following statement: “We need to start making more things in America again. One of the ways to attack the overseas supply chain issue and our increasing reliance on Chinese imports is to start manufacturing semiconductor chips right here in Illinois with funding from the CHIPS Act. We’ve been gradually shipping good, American jobs out of the United States for too long. Now we’re paying the price as Illinoisans have been squeezed by the impact of manufacturing and supply chains offshored to China. My campaign is about creating good paying jobs for working families right here in Central and Southern Illinois. In Congress, I’ll fight every single day to increase American manufacturing, solve our global supply chain issues, and decrease our reliance on Chinese imports.”
In the immediate aftermath of President Biden’s first State of the Union address, the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) announced a second round of endorsements in the 2022 midterm election cycle: 17 House incumbents who embody Jewish and Democratic values and are well-deserving of another term in Congress. These endorsements bring JDCA’s total 2022 endorsements to 30, on top of its 13 Senate endorsements announced late last year. Additional JDCA endorsements are to follow.
This latest round of endorsements includes candidates in competitive primary races in the 2022 election cycle: Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV). Building off of the organization’s successful efforts in 2018, 2020 and 2021 to reach, engage and activate Jewish voters around the country, JDCA and JDCA PAC will support endorsees with targeted digital advertising efforts and will deploy its national network of volunteers in phone banks and other events to underscore the importance of electing Democrats who align with the priorities of Jewish voters.
Not one but two Illinois gubernatorial candidates made a stop in Quincy on Tuesday.
Republicans Darren Bailey and Gary Rabine met up with voters at a bar on the riverfront where they answered questions.
WGEM spoke with the state senator and the businessman about their campaigns and what they hope to do for the state if elected governor.
“Get involved. Join the grass roots movement. I believe that we have a grass roots movement here in Illinois that has countered to President Trump’s movement in 2016,” Bailey said. “It’s the common people, it’s the businesses, it’s the communities like Quincy that have been forgotten and left behind.”
The Sun-Times recommends that we divest ourselves of any company that manufactures guns, hoping it will impair their future financial prospects. What the Sun-Times neglects to report is that about 40% of American households own a gun. My grandmother wrote about how she and her husband loved to go bird-hunting together. In a much more depressing vein, people living in crime-ridden communities purchase guns for self-defense. Unlike the Sun Times, I won’t paint with a broad brush every gun owner or company that sells guns.
I will not embrace today’s cancel culture nor engage in amateurish virtue-signaling based on blind ideology. I prefer to engage on thoughtful policies that will make a difference in the lives of our citizens. I have consistently voiced my concerns about Chicago and Citadel’s long-term place here, in order to push our political leaders to improve the quality of life for Chicagoans. I care deeply about our city and state.
Chicago continues to be engulfed in senseless and rampant violence. The number of people murdered in 2021 was the highest in 25 years, and concern over the government’s inability to keep people safe drove record gun sales. The violence destroying our city is not the result of these legal gun purchases, but rather a failure to prosecute criminals, a lack of support for police and progressive left legislation that prioritizes criminals ahead of law-abiding citizens — policies perpetuated by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Instead of deliberately misconstruing our role in the marketplace to parrot sloppy political opposition research from the governor, the Sun-Times should shine a light on his failures and politics-first mentality. Shaming our governor into addressing our crime pandemic will save lives and return Chicago to being a city we can all be proud of. Now, that is journalism that really would advance the public interest.
And yet he still hasn’t said word one about the mayor’s role in local crime-fighting. And maybe if he sat for an actual interview instead of getting kiss-up softballs tossed at him by the BGA, he might be asked about things like this…
The Office of Inspector General found “strong evidence” of “race-based disparities” in an analysis of Chicago Police Department stops and use-of-force incidents.
The inspector general’s office announced in a news release Tuesday that it found these disparities after looking at incidents from Oct. 17, 2017, through Feb. 8, 2020. The office found that Black people were consistently at a disadvantage and white people were consistently at an advantage when faced with such policing scenarios.
You can support the police while also making sure the police do a much better job.
…Adding… I didn’t notice this before. The News-Gazette asked the Republican gubernatorial candidates some gun and violence-related questions. “Have you personally been impacted by gun violence?” was one question. Sen. Bailey’s full response: “No.”
* You want the taxpayer money for covid-related absences, then get the shot. Simple. This “some say” article is trying way too hard to obfuscate the issue…
A measure some say codifies a vaccine mandate for teachers if they want open-ended administrative leave for COVID-related issues passed the Illinois House.
State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, said her measure, House Bill 1167, is similar to a previous measure that passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support last year, but was vetoed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Like the vetoed measure, Rohr’s bill gives administrative leave rather than sick time to staff for COVID-issues, and guarantees pay for school staff if there are emergency closures in schools. There’s one difference.
“It structures this bill as an incentive so that teachers and staff need to be vaccinated within five weeks of the bill signing in order to receive the benefits of the administrative days,” Rohr said.
But, Republicans, like State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, who supported the measure Pritzker vetoed, said the measure is discriminatory, and the first vote the state legislature is taking on a Pritzker mandate.
It’s an incentive no matter what “some say.” Sheesh.
[Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City] and other Republicans continued Tuesday to refuse to wear masks in the Illinois House, despite the House Rules requiring face coverings. Democrats voted to eject the group, as they’ve done several times since members returned last month. Ejected members were allowed to participate remotely.
“The motion is to enforce the rules. You can repeat the same thing over and over again. You can throw insults day and night and throw tantrums because that’s what you’re doing,” [Rep. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago] said. “If you were serious about doing the work, you would show up with your mask on. But instead you would rather waste our time.”
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced Monday that the House gallery would be open again to members of the public at 50% capacity, and clergy and pages would be allowed on the House floor, but the Hillside Democrat didn’t budge on the mask requirement.
“As the House enters third reading deadline week, members and staff will spend a significant amount of time in close proximity with one another on the House floor. For this reason, as well as several counties throughout the state still showing a high risk for transmission, masks will still be required,” read the statement from the Speaker’s office.
House Democrats went by the rules, not the new CDC guidance, voting to remove the three maskless Republicans.
Niemerg and Caulkins left the floor quickly after the resolution passed, but Wilhour refused, even after the voting switch at his desk had been turned off.
* Full Welch press release…
Amid an ongoing decline of COVID-19 hospitalizations, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced on Monday that the House Chamber is relaxing some of the mitigations that were necessary during the height of the pandemic. The gallery will be open to members of the public at 50% capacity and outside visitors, such as clergy and pages, will be allowed on the floor.
“It has been a very long two years and I’m incredibly grateful for the diligence of members and staff in the Capitol,” said Speaker Welch. “We are all eager to get back to a sense of normalcy as we also work to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone.”
As the House enters third reading deadline week, members and staff will spend a significant amount of time in close proximity with one another on the House floor. For this reason, as well as several counties throughout the state still showing a high risk for transmission, masks will still be required. Per Secretary of State guidance, all individuals are recommended to wear a face covering in the Capitol Complex buildings as well.
“We have staff members who test positive every week through the mandatory SHIELD testing,” said Speaker Welch. “When they test positive, not only are they out of the workplace for a week, but so is anyone that they’ve come in contact with.
Additionally, we have members, staff and their family members who remain at an increased risk of getting seriously ill if they contract the virus or are unable to be vaccinated. We need to get our work done before adjournment and take necessary steps to keep everyone safe.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sangamon County is currently classified as medium risk for transmission. The Capitol draws individuals from all across Illinois and masks are a proven tool to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in congregate settings like the House floor.
The Office of the Speaker will continue to closely monitor transmission levels and protocols may be revised in the future.
The limit on the number of reporters who can be in the two press boxes at the same time has also been lifted.
Across the river at District 129, West Aurora Superintendent Jeff Craig also noticed “an interesting dynamic taking place.”
In the elementary schools, a little over 50% of staff and students are still masked, a number that is on the decline, he said, perhaps because the little ones are following the lead of their teachers, most of whom are vaccinated and getting more comfortable without the face coverings.
At the middle school, the number of staff and kids still in masks jumps to a whopping 85%, Craig added, and at the high school it’s about 75% but with “close to 90% having them on and pulling them up” when in situations of close proximity.
Which, Craig noted, “when you think about it, is where we should all be.”
The former head of the state’s Veterans’ Affairs office used her political campaign fund to write two checks totaling $50,000 to her mother last month, a move state elections officials say could be a violation of state election laws.
Linda Chapa LaVia said the checks — logged as January expenditures in her required campaign filings — were to repay a loan her mother made to help her start her political career about two decades ago.
But records at the Illinois State Board of Elections show her campaign made no disclosure of a loan to her committee, launched ahead of her successful campaign to become a Democrat state representative from Aurora in 2003. It also does not show up in the original documents creating her political fundraising committee.
State elections officials said failure to report that income accurately is a violation of the state’s campaign disclosure laws. After communication with elections officials following the BGA’s inquiries, LaVia returned the $50,000 to her campaign account Feb. 18, records show.
LaVia described the campaign snafu as an oversight.
“A lot of paperwork got lost in translation from one account to another and working on a full-blown campaign,” said LaVia, who was appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to head the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in 2019.
“I’m trying to reconcile everything,” she said. “If mistakes were made in the past, a lot of it wasn’t my doing.”
LaVia said the logistics of her campaign at the time were run by the political operation of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who resigned last year amid a federal corruption investigation. Madigan did not return requests for comment.
“Between me opening my account and the speaker going into the account and taking it all over, I don’t even know” how the loan was never reported, she said, adding Madigan operatives handled everything. “You’re the candidate, and that’s all you’re doing.”
I am so glad the Illinois House Democrats are trying to get away from the days when Big Daddy would hold the hands of his members. They really need to learn to do things for themselves. A group of folks and I were talking about this phenomenon last night, and someone surmised that it may take as much as a decade to rid the chamber of the chronically dependent. That day cannot come soon enough.
…Adding… ILGOP…
Caught red-handed presumably laundering campaign donations through her mother, Chapa LaVia’s excuse was that it was payback for a loan that never existed and the mistake was former Speaker Mike Madigan’s, who completely controlled her account. Democrat corruption in Illinois is usually brazen, but clearly not always smart.
“The Madigan Machine created a vast network of corrupt grifters who served their master with loyalty and cashed in on state government in return,” said ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler. “Chapa LaVia was no different from the rest, yet Pritzker elevated her to a serious job that had deadly consequences. The Governor needs to be held accountable.”
…Adding… Going for a headline…
As former Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Director Linda Chapa LaVia makes headlines in a fresh scandal, State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) is filing legislation to ensure that qualifications – rather than a rigged political appointment process – are considered when selecting a director to head the state’s veterans agency.
“Caring for our veterans shouldn’t be a political job, but unfortunately, when unqualified political appointees are put in charge, the quality of care suffers,” said Swanson, who, in addition to serving the 74th District in the Illinois House of Representatives, is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the Illinois Army National Guard.
Swanson’s legislation, HB 5715, would require that the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs be a veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces who has experience in either a medical profession, in healthcare, or assisted living facility management.
Swanson’s legislation comes after a deadly outbreak of COVID-19 led to the deaths of 36 veterans at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. Ultimately, a report from the Illinois Department of Human Services Inspector General found that those deaths could have been prevented. According to the report, the lack of a COVID plan and failures in leadership contributed to the deadly outbreak. It also noted that the failures started at the very top of the agency with then-Director Linda Chapa LaVia, who abdicated much of her responsibility, leaving direction and critical decision-making powers to a non-medical chief of staff.
“We owe the men and women who have served our nation in the United States Armed Forces a great debt of gratitude. Ensuring that they are properly cared for in their final years is the least we can do to show our appreciation,” said Swanson, “This legislation ensures that not only does a director have to have been an honorably discharged member of the military – they also have to be qualified to ensure our veterans receive appropriate healthcare.”
Illinois liquor store giant Binny’s Beverage Depot announced Monday the removal of Russian products from its stores in a move of solidarity with Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
Greg Versch, director of communications for Binny’s, told NBC 5 the company is removing the “small handful” of Russian products that are for sale at its locations and on its website. Versch explained that “many vodkas, even those with Russian-sounding names are made in places close to home,” such as Gurnee and Plainfield.
Those products will remain on store shelves.
One of those vodkas is Smirnoff.
* Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) rose for a point of personal privilege on the House floor yesterday…
I know a lot of us are concerned about what’s going on on the other side of the world and in Ukraine and everybody’s trying to do their little part that they can to support. And one of the things was people were trying to do is not use Russian products. I just want the body and the state of Illinois to know that Smirnoff is not a Russian product. It’s actually produced in the United States. It’s actually produced in Illinois. It’s actually produced about a bike ride from my house. So as we’re cheering on the good versus evil that’s going on the other side of the world, feel free to support Smirnoff while you’re doing that. Thank you.
Russian Standard, along with lesser-known vodka Green Mark, are one of the few alcohol brands imported from Russia and sold in the United States. It’s parent company, Roust International, is owned by Roustam Tariko, a Russian oligarch who also owns Russian Standard Bank. […]
Less than 1% of vodka consumed in the United States is produced in Russia. In fact, more than half of all vodka consumed domestically is actually made here, according to data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, a global firm that tracks alcohol sales.
Vodka imported from Russia has been on the decline for several years, and is down 79% since 2011, DISCUS said.
A day after Gov. J.B. Pritzker lifted the mask mandate at Illinois schools, a downstate attorney asked an Illinois judge to halt the COVID-19 masking requirement at Chicago Public Schools — one of only a handful of districts in the state still enforcing the practice.
Tom DeVore, who recently launched a bid for the state’s Republican nomination for attorney general, filed a motion Tuesday with Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow requesting a temporary restraining order, arguing the children of Chicago parents who filed a lawsuit against the governor and the Illinois Department of Public Health “are suffering continuing harm.”
“Each is being subjected to wearing a mask as a type of quarantine without being provided” their rights of due process, DeVore said in the motion. […]
The teachers union said the suit is being pushed by someone “trying to leverage the safety and wellbeing of our school communities for his own political gain.”
* Background is here if you need it. From the Illinois Economic Policy Institute…
Statement from ILEPI Executive Director Frank Manzo IV on a section of a February 2022 report from Moody’s Analytics on the State of Illinois Economic Forecast pertaining to unions and so-called “right-to-work” policies:
A 2021 study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shows that Illinois’ economy is significantly better off than states with so-called “right-to-work” laws. Illinois’ workers earn 6% higher incomes, even after accounting for the state’s higher cost-of-living. They are 5% more likely to have health insurance. Fewer Illinois workers are below the poverty line. And Illinois workers are 3% more likely to own their homes, despite facing high property taxes.
While some lobbyists claim that “right-to-work” laws attract businesses, the data tells a different story. First, productivity per worker is 15% higher in Illinois than in so-called “right-to-work” states. Productive workers are good for business. Second, surveys of corporate executives consistently show that “right-to-work” is not a consideration in business location decisions. Moody’s Analytics cites these surveys without noting that “right-to-work” policies do not appear in the Top 10 factors in business location decisions. Accessibility of transportation infrastructure and the availability of skilled labor matter far more. Third, over the decade from 2010 to 2020, the gross domestic product (GDP) of states with “right-to-work” laws grew 3% slower than it did in the states that support workers’ rights to collectively bargain. That’s why West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, a Republican, lamented in 2021: “Really and truly, let’s just be brutally honest. We passed the ‘right-to-work’ law in West Virginia. And we ran to the windows looking to see all the people that were going to come—and they didn’t come.” Passage of “right-to-work” legislation is not a panacea in attracting businesses, jobs, or residents.
Unions. Unit labor costs in the state are above the national average, in part because of a still-high presence of unions. The state’s unit labor costs are significantly higher than those of neighboring Indiana but lower than in Michigan and Wisconsin, three states that have adopted right-to-work laws. Under right-to-work laws, employees in unionized workplaces cannot be forced to pay union fees or join unions. Michigan passed a law after a number of businesses, mostly in manufacturing, cited the law as a factor in their decision to locate in Indiana. Less clear are the effects that right-to-work laws have on economic growth. The lack of clarity is mainly due to the fact that union strength is just one factor businesses look at when deciding whether to set up shop or relocate. Energy and other costs also matter, as do a slew of other factors including talent, infrastructure, and access to customers and capital that make it extremely difficult to gauge the precise effects of right-to-work laws on job creation and a state’s economic prosperity.
The Irvin for Illinois Campaign launched a new ad highlighting Richard Irvin’s military service as a decorated combat veteran during the Gulf War. The ad highlights a life-changing moment for Irvin when a missile was fired toward his unit but ultimately shot down by a US Patriot missile during Operation Desert Storm. Irvin proudly enlisted in the Army at 19 and used the GI Bill to put himself through college.
Irvin received the following honors for his dedicated service to our country: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal.
“Serving in the military and defending our country laid the foundation for my life in public service and made me who I am today,” said Irvin. “I told myself if I survived the Gulf War in Desert Storm, I would spend the rest of my life giving back. That experience changed me forever, and it’s the reason why I am here now, fighting to take our state back.”
