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* Click here to follow along with today’s trial developments…
* Joe Cahill | The verdict is in — ComEd wins: Trial testimony revealed that a 2016 law passed by dint of a massive ComEd bribery scheme was worth $1.8 billion to the Chicago-based electric utility. Add $2.3 billion in nuclear power plant subsidies for Exelon, and ComEd’s illegal conduct produced a $4.1 billion corporate windfall. ComEd and Exelon got to keep it all under a “deferred prosecution agreement” with federal prosecutors, in which ComEd admitted to various acts of bribery aimed at influencing then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who had the power to block or ensure passage of virtually any legislation during his nearly four-decade reign as Springfield’s most powerful figure.
* Tribune | ‘ComEd Four’ trial offering a fascinating and unprecedented look into the inner workings of Michael Madigan’s political power: Cousineau’s testimony describing Madigan’s backroom muscle illustrated the deft political jujitsu that a politician can perform outside of the public view to whip up votes from other lawmakers in order to pass a bill that he actually did not vote upon himself. The move to refrain from voting, which Madigan sometimes employed on various legislation, created the illusion that he’d recused himself or steered clear of the issue when he in fact sent his troops out to round up votes.
* Hannah Meisel | Former Madigan political director details push by speaker’s office for key ComEd bill: The email concerned third-term state Rep. Michelle Mussman, of suburban Schaumburg, whose district was considered “swingy,” as Cousineau testified, making her vulnerable to a Republican opponent. Mussman, along with other mostly suburban and downstate members of the House Democratic Caucus, was often referred to as being “on the target list,” meaning Madigan’s staffers kept a close watch on their legislative positions in order to protect them from votes the speaker and his team considered politically risky.
* Tribune | ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trial: What you need to know: The Tribune has chronicled the events that led up to the trial and the backgrounds of the key defendants and witnesses expected to testify. Follow our writers — Ray Long and Jason Meisner — for the latest news.
* WBEZ | Here’s what the ComEd bribery trial this week revealed about Illinois politics: Four former ComEd executives and lobbyists are on trial for allegedly bribing House Speaker Michael Madigan to advance legislation that steered hundreds of millions more profit to the power company.
* State Week | Corruption or lobbying? Jurors will decide in ComEd bribery trial: Madigan’s trial is set for next year, but he’s playing a prominent role the federal courtroom proceedings now underway. Host Sean Crawford is joined by Professor Emeritus Charlie Wheeler and Capitol News Illinois reporter Hannah Meisel, who is covering the case.
* Daily Energy Insider | ComEd finishes five year-long project to install more than 131,000 LED smart streetlights: After five years of work, ComEd announced last week that all 131,600 streetlights it owns in northern Illinois have been installed and upgraded to smart LED light fixtures, providing brighter and more reliable light and major energy savings.
posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, Mar 27, 23 @ 11:27 am
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Forgot $200,000,000 asset forfeited to plead innocent
Comment by Rabid Monday, Mar 27, 23 @ 1:11 pm
It sure looks like Exelon was more than delighted to throw the four scapegoats under the bus. This is not to say the prosecution is not without merit, but it seems to be yet another example of going after gnats while letting the giant spiders run free to prey on their next victims.
Comment by Midwesterner Monday, Mar 27, 23 @ 1:44 pm
How on earth is the CEO of Com Ed, who was promoted to be CEO of parent company Exelon after all the largesse she delivered, who’s is on trial considered a scapegoat/knat?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Mar 27, 23 @ 2:59 pm
LP, for once are in total agreement.. i dont get that comment.
Comment by low level Monday, Mar 27, 23 @ 6:25 pm