Chambana Sun

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is calling for more inquiries into the political players still in the General Assembly engaged in the machine politics defined by recently indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

“Mike Madigan has been at the epicenter of the culture of corruption in Springfield for decades," Halbrook told the Chambana Sun. "I am not surprised he has been indicted. An indictment, of course, is not a conviction and he is innocent until proven guilty, but what happened today certainly has sent shock waves through the Capitol and for good reason." 

“The indictment of Mike Madigan should scare everyone in Springfield. It is my hope this can be the catalyst we have needed for a long time to root out the corruption that continues to plague our state.”

In a series of papers and documents revealed as part of the investigation, Madigan was known as "official A." He and former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist and Quincy native Michael McClain have been accused of running a racketeering ring involved in a $150 million bribery scandal.

In a statement announcing the indictment, the Department of Justice noted Madigan was indicted on "racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates."

"Corruption by an elected official and his associates undermines the public’s confidence in our government," U.S. Attorney John Lausch, who filed the indictment, said. "The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful private gain. Rooting out and prosecuting the kind of corruption alleged in the indictment will always be a top priority for this office."

Madigan, 79, held power for 36 years as House speaker. He resigned on Feb. 18, 2021, months after his and McClain’s operation was discovered to have funneled $150 million in bribes through ComEd. ComEd was investigated under the federal racketeering RICO law until it signed a plea worth $200 million.

Madigan has continued as a senior partner with Madigan and Getzendanner, a law firm specializing in property tax adjustments. For years, Madigan was also criticized for his role in that firm for its close ties to other prominent Democrats authorized to lower property taxes.