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While federal prosecutors continue their probe into the ComEd bribery scandal that implicates House Speaker Michael Madigan, a citizen hopes another avenue will hold the speaker to account.
Back in July, federal prosecutors released a deferred prosecution agreement ComEd entered into where the utility admitted it paid $1.3 million in bribes to associates of “Public Official A,” who was identified in court documents as the Illinois House Speaker. That’s been Madigan for all but two years since 1983. The utility has testified in a public hearing it paid the bribes through jobs and vendor contracts for little to no work in an effort to influence the speaker.
Thursday, in expressing frustration that the House Special Investigating Committee into Madigan’s conduct has been stalled by Democrats, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, was asked about whether the Legislative Inspector General was a possible avenue for accountability.
“I’m not aware of any complaint that has been filed by the LIG,” Durkin said. “They can make recommendations.”
Citizen Denise Rotheimer filed a complaint against Madigan in August after the revelations of the scandal a few weeks before. She was disappointed Durkin didn’t file his own complaint through the LIG as well.
“Because this is an avenue that is supposed to be for all of us in this state to hold these state officials, and elected officials, accountable, ethically,” Rotheimer said.
Back in 2016, Rotheimer exposed a multi-year vacancy of the LIG position when she testified about her stalled abuse of power complaint against a then-state Senator. There were a dozen other complaints that had not been investigated.
Rotheimer shared a confirmation letter the LIG sent notifying her they have received the complaint. It’s unclear if the LIG has been given permission by the Legislative Ethics Commission to investigate the matter and make recommendations. That commission is made of state lawmakers legislative leaders appoint.
Reform For Illinois Executive Director Alisa Kaplan said the way it’s set up right now, legislators police themselves, equating that to the fox guarding the henhouse. That’s because the LIG has to get permission from the Legislative Ethics Commission to investigate most complaints.
* I asked Durkin’s spokesperson yesterday why he hadn’t yet filed an LIG complaint…
The first step in this process is to invoke the actual House Rules that were meant to address this exact type of situation or behavior - conduct unbecoming of a legislator and breach of public trust. We have not ruled out an LIG complaint.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 3:06 pm
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Madigan is running, unopposed.
As a matter for the LIG, it’s important that all that work continues and it follows the necessary steps after a filed complaint.
It’s October 9th.
“Fire Madigan”, even with an honest filing to the LIG, isn’t going to stop what might happen in 25 days.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 3:19 pm
Staying relevant…… I guess?
Comment by Frank talks Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 3:42 pm
Along the lines of other avenues to be pursued, I wonder when or if the state bar will start looking into professional conduct violations.
Comment by Jed Bartlett Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 3:54 pm