Chambana Sun

A 2014 recording of a meeting with House Speaker Mike Madigan was taken in connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) while Madigan was attempting to secure a developer's business for his private firm.

"The corrupt Illinois status quo is finally being addressed in what appears to be a comprehensive manner," Chris Robling said in an interview with Chambana Sun. "One can only hope that this leads to a full-scale revolution by the voters against all remnants of the status quo.

Robling, the founder of Clearspan Strategic, said the system is set up to abuse regular people.

Chris Robling | Chris Robling's LinkedIn page

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Madigan wasn't facing any criminal charges, but that the federal investigation into Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke had made its way into the statehouse.

"That’s exactly what our establishment has done," Robling said. "It is set up entirely to abuse taxpayers in favor of office holders and insiders and that is exactly what it has done."

Robling said Madigan is aware of what is happening.

"Madigan is a genius and knows exactly what he’s doing," Robling said. "I would believe in his indictment when it happens and not before."

Robling said ever remnant from the status quo must be turned out of office.

"The folks going in need to structure the system to favor taxpayers and service recipients, not the insiders or office holders," Robling said. "Nobody can trust anyone in this state and you have to keep watching every step of the way."

Robling said Illinois' property tax system could be replaced with an iPad.

"All the people working on it, all the work being done, none of it is required," Robling said. "All of it should go away. We need to have thousands and thousands and thousands of fewer employees and jobs and pensions and in the meantime, increase transparency and efficiency by plainly stating that property is going to be assessed a certain rate. Assess it that way. Then apply property taxes that will be capped at a percentage of that rate."

Burke was charged with attempted extortion for trying to discourage a Burger King franchisee who wanted to remodel a restaurant in the 14th Ward, according to the Chicago Sun-TImes.

The recorded meeting was that of a business meeting between Madigan and a hotel developer who had been directed to Madigan’s law firm by Ald. Danny Solis, according to an affidavit obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Solis recorded dozens of conversations with Burke and other politicians, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.