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Emails detail Madigan’s use of ComEd as crony job service

By Ben Szalinski

12/02/2020

Emails between indicted former employees of ComEd show hiring at the company was based on what Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan wanted.

TAGS: Chris Welch, corruption, Eddie Acevedo, Kathleen Willis, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan

Madigan leadership team member becomes 19th vote opposing him as House speaker

By Brad Weisenstein

12/01/2020

Enough Illinois House Democrats already said they would vote to end Mike Madigan’s 35 years as speaker but losing a party leader will make it much more difficult for him to retain power.

TAGS: corruption, Illinois House of Representatives, Kathleen Willis, Mike Madigan

Pritzker demands answers from Madigan as more Illinois lawmakers seek resignation

By Ben Szalinski

11/20/2020

Madigan already had lost enough support to end his 35-year run as House speaker, but the gap continued to widen as Illinois’ governor added his rebuke.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, House Speaker, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein, Ben Szalinski

11/20/2020

This page will be updated daily to reflect developments related to the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot

Madigan opposition hits critical mass as his confidant, 3 others charged in ComEd bribery scandal

By Ben Szalinski

11/19/2020

The indictments are the closest yet to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s inner circle. Now enough Democrats are pledging they won’t support him to cost him the speaker’s gavel.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, house, House Speaker, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Jay Doherty, madigan, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain, reform

Madigan’s legacy of corruption will survive his downfall, unless …

By Joe Tabor

11/19/2020

After decades under Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s rule, Illinois is corroding from his concentration of power. Robust ethics laws, rules and norms could stop a new Madigan from rising.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, house, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, madigan, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain, reform, speaker

Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty

By Ben Szalinski

11/16/2020

A Chinatown developer made the recording in 2014, which is still a piece to a lengthy federal investigation.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, federal investigation, Mike Madigan

Pritzker renews push to end federal oversight of state hiring

By Ben Szalinski

11/06/2020

The federal court system has been watching Illinois for patronage hiring since 1972. There’s little evidence the problem is fixed.

TAGS: corruption, good government, JB Pritzker, Shakman decrees

Pritzker, other top Democrats want Madigan out as party leader

By Ben Szalinski

11/06/2020

On the heels of losing his signature “fair tax,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants House Speaker Mike Madigan out as the state Democratic leader. Both U.S. senators also make that call.

TAGS: corruption, fair tax, House Speaker, Illinois House of Representatives, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

Kilbride is first Illinois Supreme Court justice to lose retention vote

By Joe Tabor

11/04/2020

After receiving $550,000 from Madigan’s Democratic Party of Illinois campaign committee, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride lost his bid to continue on the court. He is the first justice voters failed to retain.

TAGS: election, Illinois Supreme Court, Mike Madigan, Thomas Kilbride

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s power over Illinois politics is more precarious than ever. A steady stream of federal investigations, wiretaps and raids of people close to him, a deferred prosecution agreement with Commonwealth Edison wherein the utility giant admitted to bribing the speaker, and a grand jury subpoena served to Madigan’s office have led...

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Good Government

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Jessica Hababeh: Tasty Spin

Website posting requirements for local governments in Illinois

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students