Chambana Sun

Vermillion activist Rich Berner insists he’s seen it all before when it comes to the way Democratic lawmakers in Springfield have responded to the growing scandal swirling around House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“They’re all afraid to speak up and it’s typical of the way they band together,” Berner told the Chambana Sun. “No one has a spine, and at the end of the day they still think he’ll survive because that’s what he’s done for so long.”

After nearly four decades of being in control in Springfield, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd. Federal prosecutors contend the company engaged in a “years-long bribery scheme” involving jobs, contracts and payments that were steered to him in his role as house speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

To date, no charges have been filed against the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, but prosecutors have not been shy in asserting that the utility giant sought to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

Even as the scrutiny and pressure begins to mount, Berner said he doesn’t expect to see Madigan or other Democratic lawmakers change their approach.  

“He has power and money and they’re afraid to speak up because he’s got ways of getting back at you,” he said. “All of them want to get re-elected in November and feel like going through him is the way to go.”

As for Madigan, Berner added his reaction seems easily predictable.

“I don’t expect him to step down and think it will take a lot more for him to budge,” he said. “I think it will take formal charges for that.”