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The Hill: Feds asking questions about Speaker Madigan’s son

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Illinois

* Reid Wilson at The Hill…

Sources who have been interviewed by federal agents told The Hill that authorities are also looking into the relationships between several small towns around Chicago and people in Madigan’s orbit. In September, the FBI raided government offices in McCook, Lyons, Schiller Park and Summit, all towns in Sandoval’s state Senate district.

All four towns have insurance contracts with Mesirow Insurance Services, a Chicago-based company that employs Andrew Madigan, the Speaker’s son.

One source interviewed by federal agents, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, said agents asked about several Madigan allies who lobbied for ComEd and about the relationships between the suburban cities and the Speaker’s political operation. The agents specifically asked about Andrew Madigan, the source said, and whether the towns were told to sign contracts with his firm in exchange for legislative favors in Springfield.

“They know it’s happening, it’s just really difficult to prove,” the source said.

One thing the Madigan people point out is that stories like this one never report what the people who were interviewed actually said to the feds.

Also, a strong hunch is one thing, proving it is true in a court of law is quite another task.

But, and this is a very important but, if the feds are indeed taking a look at the House Speaker’s only son, then hold onto your hats.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 9:59 am

Comments

I know it’s pedantic on my part, but Schiller Park is not in Senator Sandoval’s legislative district.

Comment by Nuke the Whales Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:03 am
I’m no fan of Madigan, but I agree with his people. I don’t understand why people would tell a reporter what the feds are asking, without telling the reporter what they told the feds. It’ll come out eventually. I’m sure there’s a reason people aren’t saying what they’re saying to the feds; I just can’t wrap my feeble brain around it.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:04 am
===without telling the reporter what they told the feds===

Or they weren’t asked.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:06 am
I sort of have accepted nepotism as normal in politics in America. But I would suggest that if these townships used Mesirow Insurance Services and Andrew Madigan as some sort of commissioned agent they did not have to be told to do so by the Speaker. These things are known and the political benefits long term of doing business with connected people is understood. That in its self is not illegal, it’s simply old school.

Comment by Rod Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:15 am
Maybe Madigan should call uncle Joe for advice on this…

Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:15 am
===Or they weren’t asked.===
Perhaps foolishly, I have more faith in reporters. Seems like the obvious question.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:18 am
It’s merely a coincidence. I’m sure these towns had no idea Madigan’s son worked at Mesirow.

Comment by SSL Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:21 am
=== in exchange for legislative favors in Springfield ===

What legislative favors?

Where is the quo?

I have a hard time believing that after the impeachment of Blagojevich, Madigan could have been so stupid, but it should not be hard for The Hill or any other news Organization to FOIA state spending in these towns and villages. If they got a mysterious windfall, it should be pretty plain.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:22 am
“But, and this is a very important but, if the feds are indeed taking a look at the House Speaker’s only son, then hold onto your hats.”

True. But, on the other hand, The Hill until recently (this may not mean anything to the Illinois-centric) employed John Solomon, so there is that.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:23 am
Sure doesn’t sound like Speaker Madigan is the target of anything.

I am sure the ethics reform JB crows about will fix all this corruption.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:28 am
Milledgeville got a windfall after voting for the turnaround agenda

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:33 am
Nuke the Whales is correct. But from a few years back, I recall some southside players involved in an election in Schiller Park. Made me wonder then. Makes me wonder more now.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:37 am
Is Summit in Sandoval’s district?

Comment by Ok, Boomer Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:39 am
==without telling the reporter what they told the feds.==

You don’t tell the reporter what you said to the feds because that could give the feds (and Madigan) a tip to who you are.

You need anonymity to prevent an obstruction charge from the FBI and political retribution from Madigan for being a snitch.

Comment by MG85 Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:41 am
=I am sure the ethics reform JB crows about will fix all this corruption.=

LOL. Whelp, the ILGOP wasn’t going to fix it.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:51 am
The Hill isn’t exactly the “paper of record,” but whatever. I’m more curious about why they’re running a picayune story about suburban Chicago corruption in the first place. It’s a DC rag, so somebody is trying to send a message out there, because none of this is really news here.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 10:54 am
===I have a hard time believing that after the impeachment of Blagojevich, Madigan could have been so stupid===

I would’ve agreed with you before the Burke wiretap revelations. Everyone thought Burke was a political genius and way too smart to say anything on the phone, but there he was in all his glory shaking down Burger King. Frankly, I think it was a habit for Alderman Burke that transforms all rational motives — having enough money, power, and legacy. Who knows, maybe it is a habit for Speaker Madigan too.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:01 am
“You don’t tell the reporter what you said to the feds because that could give the feds (and Madigan) a tip to who you are.”

Nonsense. In reality you told the reporter what was said, but like the other best kept secrets of the Tribbie opus(s) nothing you said is a crime. That would derail the story. The Hill probably got interested because one of GOPie empty suits was trying to shift focus from Trump.

Comment by Annonin Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:05 am
“t they did not have to be told to do so by the Speaker. These things are known ”

Indeed. It also has the benefit of allowing a large number of companies and firms to Curry favor by where they buy what they would be buying anyway.

Outsourcing their lobbying cost to the insurance via commissions, so to say.

Comment by Fav human Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:22 am
because none of this is really news here.

LOL

If you think this is only a picayune story about suburban corruption and not about the Feds raiding Democrats and lobbyists offices all over Illinois good luck to you.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:23 am
The quo doesn’t mean a windfall, sometimes the quo is just not getting your normal allotment cut. The old “put a brick on “X” so I can get a benefit for unbricking “X”" is a tried and true tactic.

Comment by Just Another Anon Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:28 am
47th Ward
Apparently The Hill is using the same standards for Madigan that John Solomon used (not Illinois-centric) for his stories on uranium (there was a level of inaccuracy that Rich does not tolerate).

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:29 am
===that John Solomon used===

Solomon did not write this story.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:40 am
Makes one wonder what Lisa Madigan knew when she suddenly decided not to run again.

Comment by Anon thoughts Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:40 am
=If you think this is only a picayune story about suburban corruption and not about the Feds raiding Democrats and lobbyists offices all over Illinois good luck to you.=

Are you trying to tell us, in your usual ham handed way, that you think the Trump-Barr DOJ is partisan and targeting Democrats?

Wow, that is a big story.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:46 am
LP, we’ve known about Andrew Madigan’s connection to Mesirow’s insurance business, and that this business is part of what the Feds are looking at. Do you know how I know this? Because Rich and the Sun-Times and others have covered it from the beginning, back in October.

But now the Hill is suddenly on it, two months later. Why them, why now? Who in DC is more interested in potentially hinky contracts in Summit, Illinois, versus the mile deep muck of corruption that is around every corner and under every rock in DC?

Wake me when somebody else gets arrested.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:50 am
when you have something criminal you indict.. when you don’t, you leak…

Comment by NotRich Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 12:00 pm
Reid Wilson covers state politics for The Hill. This investigation is a pretty big story in the state politics field, so it is only natural Mr. Wilson would have interest in it. Plus, he seems like a very reputable journalist.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 12:17 pm
I remember Royko once wrote something close to the following: Smart politicians went to law school and set up law firms. The ones who couldn’t get into law school set up insurance firms.

As someone in the insurance industry I can say that quote isn’t very far off (although the difference in intelligence between lawyers and insurance brokers isn’t as wide as most lawyers would have you believe it is).

Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 12:18 pm
=== Where is the quo?===

Here’s the thing, for me.

I’m not questioning the leaking or thoughts or whatever.

What is confusing to me is… “who benefits?”.

Was it ComEd, straight up leverage or graft?

The possible investigation(s) and indictment(s) will need to show… what it all means.

So, I’ll wait… and watch.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 12:22 pm
Rod @10:15am hit the nail on the head. The Feds may find something on Madigan but if it’s anything more than a regulatory violation or something similar I will be surprised.

During this past Spring Session both ComEd and Ameren had proposed legislation that Unions were lobbying hard to get passed, regardless, Madigan refused to move the bill. Many wondered why; the reason looks obvious now.

Comment by nadia Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 12:47 pm
Personally far past done listening to any of the “Madigan People.”

Comment by Sonny Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 12:53 pm
I’m obviously not the world’s biggest Madigan fan, but I’d take any story from this site with a pound of salt - the Hill used to be like the national version of IPI’s news division, and has since basically become an extension of the trump campaign. Owner and publisher are both long-time partisans, is a very poor examples of the type of organization you want to get honest news from. It’s the conservative equivalent of Daily Kos

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 1:46 pm
Dupage county has been using Mesirow for a few years now. Mucho buckos flowing to them. Anybody looking at what favors MJM did for his old colleague County Board Chair (Sen) Cronin?

Comment by Hey Joe Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 2:01 pm
Hire me people, help my political organization, buy from my son and life will be good for you in Springfield. If not, go to the back of the line and good luck with your proposed Legislation. Yeah, we all know that’s how it works. But feds lIkely see business as usual as Predicate Acts in further as part of a RICO. Not there yet but easy to see where this is going.

Comment by 19th Ward Guy Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 3:34 pm
=== Hire me people, help my political organization, buy from my son and life will be good for you in Springfield…. Not there yet but easy to see where this is going. ===

You mean easy to see where they want to go. I don’t think Madigan ever said any of those things to any people.

Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 3:48 pm
I guess the world has changed from the Days Richard Daley did the same for his sons and when challenged responded with “what’s the country coming to when a father can’t help his sons” 😆- the more interesting issue is why does it always seem to be Mesirow in the middle of these cases- Remember Blagojevich/Filan - hope the Company is part of what’s being investigated

Comment by Sue Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 4:58 pm
== be told to do so by the Speaker. These things are known==

The same could have been said about Darin LaHood. Ray would have still been in Congress when most of this took place. A small town spending $75K per year on legal advice.

https://www.pjstar.com/article/20090324/NEWS/303249854

Comment by Live Wire Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 5:15 pm
- Anon thoughts - Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 11:40 am:

Makes one wonder what Lisa Madigan knew when she suddenly decided not to run again.

If you consider more than a year before the election suddenly.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 6:55 pm
=== Makes one wonder what Lisa Madigan knew when she suddenly decided not to run again.===

That you John Kass, LOL

Lisa Madigan was Attorney General four terms,16 years.

She thought about running for Governor.

After 16 years, you burn out. It happens. It’s not like she didn’t run for a second term.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 11, 19 @ 7:10 pm
Where can a powerful politician’s child work without there name potentially helping them? What about a sports star’s child? Or a famous actor’s child? Don’t confuse human nature with corruption.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 8:03 am
Andrew Madigan represents the City of Chicago. https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/about/andrew-madigan

Comment by NoGifts Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 9:28 am