Category: News

In breaking news this morning, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) called on Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign immediately from both his speakership and his chairmanship of the Democratic Party of Illinois.  No caveats.  No “if true” evasions.

Some will argue that the Speaker is innocent until charges are filed and he’s proven guilty. But those are not the standards that should apply to his leadership role. Serving as Speaker is not a right; it’s a privilege. A leader’s actions must avoid even the perception of wrongdoing. Speaker Madigan repeatedly has violated that trust.

For the same reason, Michael Madigan should step down as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. We are in the midst of the most important campaign of our lifetime — to remove a President who routinely violates our Constitution and our trust. In contrast, Democrats must offer voters a level of trust and accountability that Chairman Madigan can no longer provide.

This puts Governor JB Pritzker in a box after spending more than a week shielding Madigan from pressure to resign immediately.

Will today be the day Governor Pritzker calls on Madigan to resign immediately – or will dig himself deeper into Madigan’s culture of corruption?  And does the Governor fear this could be his fate if the federal investigation into his own property tax fraud deepens?

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In breaking news this morning, State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) called on Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign immediately from both his speakership and his chairmanship of the Democratic Party of Illinois.  No caveats.  No “if true” evasions.

Some will argue that the Speaker is innocent until charges are filed and he’s proven guilty. But those are not the standards that should apply to his leadership role. Serving as Speaker is not a right; it’s a privilege. A leader’s actions must avoid even the perception of wrongdoing. Speaker Madigan repeatedly has violated that trust.

For the same reason, Michael Madigan should step down as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. We are in the midst of the most important campaign of our lifetime — to remove a President who routinely violates our Constitution and our trust. In contrast, Democrats must offer voters a level of trust and accountability that Chairman Madigan can no longer provide.

This puts Governor JB Pritzker in a box after spending more than a week shielding Madigan from pressure to resign immediately.

Will today be the day Governor Pritzker calls on Madigan to resign immediately – or will dig himself deeper into Madigan’s culture of corruption?  And does the Governor fear this could be his fate if the federal investigation into his own property tax fraud deepens?

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In case you missed it…

Newspaper columnist Jim Nowlan weighed in on the line towed by Governor JB Pritzker and other Illinois Democrats that Speaker Mike Madigan need only resign “if the allegations are true.”

Except for pinning the tail on the donkey — Madigan — how can the allegations not be true? ComEd has stipulated that they are true!

Why in the world would ComEd ever put itself at risk of bribery charges if the company weren’t pressured to do so by Madigan?

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I disagree about the speaker weathering the storm.

The optics of the ComEd bribery and Madigan shakedown scheme are breathtaking, at least an order of magnitude more brazen that your typical corruption. ComEd continued to pay the best man at Madigan’s wedding (lobbyist Mike McClain) hundreds of thousands annually, even after the company declared he was no longer lobbying for them.

Madigan even demanded — talk about brassy — that ComEd place one of his political friends on their board of directors. And they did. Think of the chill that must send down the spines of CEOs who might want to set up shop in Illinois.

From Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller:

When there’s “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators, the governor said, “that’s the point at which folks should step aside.”

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I do not see how there is less than “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators right now.

And from Illinois Playbook:

But another state rep acknowledged: “You worry about the other shoe dropping and what that means if you’ve accepted [Madigan’s] help.”

Here are the top unanswered questions for Governor Pritzker to address:

1)    Will you comment on the latest report from the Chicago Sun-Times that you appointed the two top officials at the Illinois Tollway based on the recommendation of former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker who is now embroiled in the Madigan bribery scandal?  Your spokesperson “singled out Hooker as a key voice behind the appointments.”  What is the nature of your relationship with John Hooker?  Can you comment on how these corrupt appointments may have contributed to recent illegal activity at the Tollway as the Daily Herald reported yesterday?

2)    You previously called on Democratic State Sen. Marty Sandoval to step down as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee before he was indicted.  Why are you changing your standard for Madigan and refusing to call on him to step down as both speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party?

3)    You reportedly told Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller that when there’s “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators, “that’s the point at which folks should step aside.”  Do you not see clear evidence of Mike Madigan being targeted by criminal investigators?

4)    Yes or no – do you consider Mike Madigan to be a political ally?

5)    Are you concerned that the US Attorney in Chicago is now looking into property tax fraud allegations against you and that reportedly the inquiry is widening to multiple properties?

6)    If you will just continue to say that Madigan should resign if the allegations against him are true, would you agree that you should resign if the allegations against you are true?

7)    Can you name one allegation against Madigan described in the US Attorney’s court filing that you think is not true?

8)    Will you demand that Madigan return your campaign contributions from accounts that he controls?

9)    Will you advise Illinois Democrats not to accept campaign contributions from Madigan? If so, should they avoid campaign contributions from you while you are subject to your own federal investigation?

10) You appointed Carrie Zalewski to be the Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates ComEd.  Zalewski’s husband is a state representative close to Madigan and her father-in-law, a former Chicago alderman, is embroiled in the ComEd/Madigan bribery scandal.  Why did Carrie Zalewski fight in court to protect ComEd in litigation arising from the death of a cable line worker?  Doesn’t that raise red flags given her conflict of interest in the ongoing federal probe?  Are you covering up corruption here?

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Governor JB Pritzker today heads to Quincy and the Quad Cities in hopes of talking about anything other than the widening federal investigations into both Speaker Mike Madigan for bribery and the governor himself for property tax fraud.

Will today be the day he finally answers the tough questions?  Here are the top unanswered questions for Governor Pritzker to address:

1)    Will you comment on the latest report from the Chicago Sun-Times that you appointed the two top officials at the Illinois Tollway Authority based on the recommendation of former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker who is now embroiled in the Madigan bribery scandal?  Your spokesperson “singled out Hooker as a key voice behind the appointments.”  What is the nature of your relationship with John Hooker?

2)    Newspapers around the state continue to call on you to ask Speaker Madigan to resign.  You previously called on Democratic State Sen. Marty Sandoval to step down as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee before he was indicted.  Why are you changing your standard for Madigan and refusing to call on him to step down as both speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party?

3)    Yes or no – do you consider Mike Madigan to be a political ally?

4)    Are you concerned that the US Attorney in Chicago is now looking into property tax fraud allegations against you and that reportedly the inquiry is widening to multiple properties?

5)    If you will just continue to say that Madigan should resign if the allegations against him are true, would you agree that you should resign if the allegations against you are true?

6)    Can you name one allegation against Madigan described in the US Attorney’s court filing that you think is not true?

7)    Will you demand that Madigan return your campaign contributions from accounts that he controls?

8)    You appointed Carrie Zalewski to be the Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates ComEd.  Zalewski’s husband is a state representative close to Madigan and her father-in-law, a former Chicago alderman, is embroiled in the ComEd/Madigan bribery scandal.  Why did Carrie Zalewski fight in court to protect ComEd in litigation arising from the death of a cable line worker?  Doesn’t that raise red flags given her conflict of interest in the ongoing federal probe?  Are you covering up corruption here?

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In case you missed it this weekend…

The Chicago Tribune slammed Governor JB Pritzker for his refusal to demand House Speaker Michael Madigan step down as speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois:

But one unarguable time for an official to step down is when prosecutors offer credible evidence of corruption that devastates citizens’ trust in that official.

Yet instead of leveling consequences, the ruling Democrats continue to tolerate, enable and protect Madigan.

That’s peculiar. Rather than demanding that Madigan leave or be dethroned, Pritzker, Lightfoot, Preckwinkle and Democrats in the legislature are waiting for … what, exactly?

If they won’t insist that Madigan go until they know everything about his conduct, then they’re admitting that milking Madigan for campaign money and political muscle means more to them than living by the good-government platitudes they love to mouth.

And the Quad City Times also called on Illinois Democrats to demand Madigan’s resignation:

We think it’s time for Democratic lawmakers to stop dancing around Mike Madigan. They should demand that he resign.

Governor Pritzker will be in the Quad Cities later today.

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One week after the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois officially named House Speaker Michael Madigan as “Public Official A” in an ever-widening federal investigation, Governor J.B. Pritzker continues to shield Madigan from resigning his post as Speaker and as Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

But while Pritzker has joined the Madigan defense team, experts tell the Associated Press that “prosecutors are coming for him” and “charges could come any day.”  Meanwhile, newspapers across Illinois continue to call for Madigan to step aside: 

• From the State Journal-Register: “Mr. Madigan, please step aside and let your colleagues lead the way to reform.”
• From the Chicago Tribune: “Madigan has held onto the speaker’s job for far too long. This should be the clincher. Step down, Mr. Speaker.”
• From the Daily Herald: “The suggestions of impropriety in those documents are so overwhelming that Michael J. Madigan, whether innocent or guilty of wrongdoing, cannot escape being a major distraction both to good government and to the hopes of the political party he leads.”
• From yesterday’s Effingham Daily News: “He hasn’t been charged with anything — yet. But Madigan’s effectiveness as a leader in the state can no longer exist in the wake of an agreement the feds reached last week with Commonwealth Edison.”

“Governor Pritzker has chosen the wrong side of history,” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said.  “The people of Illinois will hold this governor accountable for standing in Madigan’s defense and actively covering up corruption.  People should see Mr. Pritzker for what he is: a political accessory after the fact to Mike Madigan’s crimes.  What else did we expect from a governor facing his own federal investigation for property tax fraud?”

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The Illinois Republican Party today called on Governor J.B. Pritzker to explain why he is unwilling to call for House Speaker Michael Madigan to step down from his positions as Speaker and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois when he was willing to call on State Sen. Martin Sandoval to resign his chairmanship of the Senate Transportation Committee under similar circumstances.

Last October, after the FBI raided Sandoval’s home and office in search of evidence of bribery and fraud, Governor Pritzker said: “While Sen. Sandoval is under investigation, it’s in the best interest of our state that he no longer serve as chairman of the Transportation Committee.  If he doesn’t step aside, he should be removed.”

But over the last few days, Pritzker has refused to apply the same standard to Madigan.  Instead, Pritzker says Madigan should only resign if the allegations against him are true — whatever that means.

“Pritzker’s double standard when it comes to Mike Madigan’s resignation raises all kinds of red flags,” Chairman Tim Schneider said.  “What does Madigan have on Pritzker that would compel the Governor to change his standard for resignation in just nine months?”

Pritzker now faces several unanswered questions:

1)    Why did you call on Marty Sandoval to resign his chairmanship before an actual indictment but won’t call on Madigan to resign his speakership and chairmanship of the Democratic Party?

2)    Will you acknowledge that Michael Madigan is “Public Official A” in the US Attorney’s court filings?

3)    Rod Blagojevich was also “Public Official A” and you supported Blagojevich at that time (in fact, you even called Blagojevich to discuss the US Senate appointment).  Clearly, you made a big mistake with Blagojevich.  Aren’t you making the same mistake all over again – only this time betting your governorship on the newest “Public Official A”?

4)    Which allegations against “Public Official A” described in the US Attorney’s court filing do you think are not true?

5)    Will you demand that Madigan return your campaign contributions?  Do you have concerns that Madigan is using tainted campaign funds for his legal defense?

6)    Why did Carrie Zalewski fight in court to protect ComEd in litigation arising from the death of a cable line worker?  Doesn’t that raise red flags given her conflict of interest in the ongoing federal probe?

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Yesterday, the Champaign News Gazette’s Jim Dey reminded us that Madigan is now “Public Official A” – the same title previously assigned to former Governor Rod Blagojevich – and that is “all bad.” 

Republican state legislators, meanwhile, called for Madigan to resign and for Pritzker to issue a call to special session to address the ethics cloud hanging over Illinois.

But Governor JB Pritzker?  He’s made it clear to the people of Illinois: he’s all-in for Mike Madigan until the very end.  Like Thelma and Louise, Pritzker is holding on tight to a man he still considers a political ally.

Let’s review the state of play:

• Pritzker Blocking and Tackling Calls for Madigan to Resign: Despite calls from members of his own party for Madigan to step down now, Pritzker contends the accusations against Madigan are “just implied” and that Madigan does not need to resign from any leadership post.

• Pritzker Protecting Madigan Clout Hires: Pritzker has not addressed the Madigan clout list hires he placed throughout his administration, including the most controversial appointment of all: Carrie Zalewski, the daughter-in-law of a close Madigan ally targeted by the federal investigation to regulate ComEd.  Pritzker has also not addressed yesterday’s Chicago Tribune report that his Madigan appointee to the ICC spent months in court trying to shield ComEd from a probe into the death of a cable line worker.  Pritzker refuses to fire Zalewski in the wake of the federal investigation.

•  Pritzker Hasn’t Asked for His Money Back from Madigan: Pritzker transferred millions of dollars to campaign funds controlled by Madigan even after his 2018 victory.  Pritzker has not addressed whether that money should be returned and whether he believes those funds are indirectly subsidizing Madigan’s legal defense efforts (which newspapers report are funded by Madigan’s campaign).

• Pritzker Dodges Questions on His Own Federal Investigation: Pritzker continues to downplay the significance of news reports that the US Attorney’s Office is widening its probe of Pritzker’s own potentially fraudulent property tax schemes.

Here are a few questions we’d love to see Pritzker address:

1)    Will you acknowledge that Michael Madigan is “Public Official A” in the US Attorney’s court filings?

2)    Rod Blagojevich was also “Public Official A” and you supported Blagojevich at that time (in fact, you even called Blagojevich to discuss the US Senate appointment).  Clearly, you made a big mistake with Blagojevich.  Aren’t you making the same mistake all over again – only this time betting your governorship on the newest “Public Official A”?

3)    Which allegations against “Public Official A” described in the US Attorney’s court filing do you think are not true?

4)    Will you demand that Madigan return your campaign contributions?  Do you have concerns that Madigan is using tainted campaign funds for his legal defense?

5)    Why did Carrie Zalewski fight in court to protect ComEd in litigation arising from the death of a cable line worker?  Doesn’t that raise red flags given her conflict of interest in the ongoing federal probe?

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Now more than ever, Illinois Republicans believe it is time to address the crisis of public trust created by deep rooted Democrat corruption that seemingly produces a new story of malfeasance on a weekly basis. 

Yesterday, members of the House GOP held a virtual press conference to demand immediate action. 

“Illinois Republicans say Madigan should resign after Commonwealth Edison last week admitted to bribing the speaker through hiring lobbyists and staff he recommended.  Madigan has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Members of the Illinois House GOP say that scandal is reason enough for Governor J.B. Pritzker to bring lawmakers back for a special session dealing with ethics legislation.“

Republicans don’t just want to oust the Speaker, they want real change. 

“The Republicans suggest a ban on lawmakers becoming lobbyists and using political funds for criminal defense. But they deeply want a change in leadership.

“Speaker Madigan has spent decades creating his Springfield machine. So Madigan must go. That much is clear. But it does the people of Illinois no good if his crony culture stays. Otherwise, another insider is just going to take the reins and the corruption cycle is going to start all over again. This is an area where Governor Pritzker certainly could have been leading, it’s unfortunate that he didn’t, but I’m ultimately here because I want good governance.”

“I want real change. I want a culture of public servants who again are choosing people over power, who choose the people of Illinois over a political machine who do what’s best for Illinois instead of what’s best for the insider political class,” said Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R-Naperville).“

The response from Pritzker?  “Requests for comments from the Speaker and Governor’s offices were not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.”

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During a stop in Peoria yesterday in what’s becoming a statewide “Madigan Defense Tour,” Governor JB Pritzker was asked if he still considers Speaker Michael Madigan a political ally.

Pritzker refused to answer.  Instead, he seemed to defend Madigan by calling “some” accusations against Madigan “just implied.”

Just implied?  What part of naming Mike Madigan as “Public Official A” in a years-long bribery scandal was “just implied?”  Maybe Pritzker should read this overview of accusations described by WBEZ yesterday:

• Does Juan Ochoa, Madigan’s former ComEd board members, think these accusations are “just implied”?
•  Individual A “explained that for decades, [Madigan] had named individuals to be ComEd employees, such as meter readers, as part of an ‘old-fashioned patronage system.” Does Individual A think the accusations are “just implied”?

In Champaign, Pritzker called for ethics reform as he openly condemned ComEd and blamed a culture of corrupt Springfield lobbyists.  For Pritzker, it seems, everyone is to blame except Mike Madigan.  The most urgent ethics reform Pritzker seems unable to support is Mike Madigan’s resignation.

Pritzker’s inability to cut off ties with Madigan and call for his resignation is reminiscent of a moment during the 2017-2018 gubernatorial primary when Pritzker refused to distance himself from Madigan and called accusations of his corruption nothing more than a Republican “talking point.”

Meanwhile, WBEZ reported that Pritzker is also doubling down in his defense of Madigan ally and daughter-in-law of a person of interest in the Madigan bribery investigation who Pritzker appointed to chair the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates ComEd.  The Zalewski family is part of Madigan’s inner circle.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday staunchly defended the politically-connected head of the state agency that regulates the scandal-scarred Commonwealth Edison power company and other public utilities.

Pritzker’s appointee as chairwoman of the Illinois Commerce Commission is Carrie Zalewski — whose father-in-law, former 23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski — profited from the broad and long-running bribery scheme ComEd has admitted to perpetrating in Illinois politics.

According to federal court records unsealed Friday, the giant electric company acknowledged steering consulting contracts to allies of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, in exchange for favorable government action in Springfield.

The feds said a former alderman they described as “Associate A” got a ComEd subcontract worth $5,000 a month after he retired from the Chicago City Council in May 2018, and Madigan allegedly brokered the “arrangement” with ComEd’s chief executive. Michael Zalewski left the Council in May 2018, and a source familiar with the ongoing federal investigation confirmed he is Associate A.

Madigan’s office had also repeatedly recommended Carrie Zalewski for a job at the ICC before Pritzker appointed her to the $136,800-a-year post in April 2019, less than three months after the governor took office, WBEZ has reported.

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