Chambana Sun

State Rep. Thomas M. Bennett (R-Gibson City) is optimistic that the ComEd Four convictions will spur discussions of ethics reform in Illinois.

“This case has been a showcase of everything that is wrong with the political system in Illinois. This case has showcased how high-ranking members of Madigan’s inner circle continually abused their positions to help themselves and their allies,” Bennett said. “Unfortunately, this is a culture and system that is systemic in Illinois government. 

Bennett, Assistant Minority Leader in the House, articulated that Illinoisans "deserve a government that is honest, open, and responsive to their needs, instead of politicians focused on gaining power and enriching themselves.” 

“Unfortunately, Illinoisans won’t be able to expect any real change until Democratic leadership stops blocking meaningful and strong ethics reforms from moving forward,” Bennett said. “I hope these guilty verdicts will finally help create pressure to fix what has become a very broken system.” 

Bennett’s comments come after former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker along with Madigan’s right-hand man Michael McClain and lobbyist Jay Doherty, who previously ran the City Club of Chicago, were convicted of scheming to pay $1.3 million to Madigan-connected people and companies. The ComEd Four face sentencing in January 2024. As part of the scheme, ComEd provided jobs – some of which were no show – and contracts to those with connections to Madigan who at the time controlled the Democratic Party and had wielded power as the state’s most powerful politician as the longest-serving state House Speaker in the nation. ComEd, the state’s largest utility, engaged in the scheme to influence Madigan in order to get preferential treatment in the state House. Prosecutors called the foursome "grandmasters of corruption.” ComEd paid a $200 million fine in July 2020 and admitted to the scheme.

The 81-year-old Madigan was in power as House Speaker from 1983 to 1995 and then from 1997 to 2021. He was an Illinois House member from 1971 to 2021 before stepping down amid the scandal. He is charged in a separate filing of 23 counts of public corruption related to the ComEd scandal and is facing a single count of public corruption from a similar scheme with AT&T. Madigan will go on trial in April 2024. Despite being under investigation, Madigan reportedly took part in the 2022 election campaign and is still holding onto one elected position as 13th Ward Democratic committeeman, a position he has held since age 27. Madigan has transferred the last $10 million from his campaign budget to his defense fund.

The criticism of corruption against state Democrats comes just after former state senator Tom Cullerton was spotted working in Springfield as a lobbyist after serving jail time for taking such a position from the Teamsters.