Outsiders may not get it, but it makes some sense that the majority of House Democrats still back House Speaker Michael Madigan’s reelection.
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Wirepoints: Same old bad news in new 2020 Illinois pension report belies far worse reality
On the surface, a new report on Illinois’ state-level pensions is bad enough: The official unfunded liability of the five state pensions grew to $144 billion in 2020 – a record high, and a $7 billion increase in just one year. That’s according to COGFA, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s latest special pension report.
Fox 2: 50 years ago, constitution updated Illinois; can it do more?
It was 50 years ago that Illinois voters approved a state constitution that was forward-looking and made government more efficient. A half-century later, could an update tackle problems such as crushing debt and political corruption? A failed campaign last month to amend the document to allow a broader income tax was beset by the hyper-partisanship that defines the political climate. John Marshall Law School professor Ann Lousin says such divisions could doom an attempt to write a new charter. However, Pat Quinn, the former Illinois governor who has championed many amendment drives, believes voters would favor a “fresh look.”
The Center Square: Committee investigating Madigan to meet for first time since ‘bombshell’ emails in ComEd bribery scheme
Members of the Illinois House Special Investigating Committee looking into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conduct in the ComEd bribery scheme will push to subpoena the speaker on Monday, the first hearing since a trove of emails were released.
Last summer, federal prosecutors entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) they entered with utility ComEd, where the utility agreed to pay $200 million in fines for its role in a nine-year bribery scheme to influence Madigan, D-Chicago.
Madigan has not been charged with a crime and denies wrongdoing.
Rich Miller: This may be when Madigan is needed most
He’s been a genius at getting things done for his caucus. He is loyal to his people and has infinitely more institutional memory and can pull more strings and push more buttons than anyone alive.
In his nearly 50 years in office, Madigan has been heavily involved with four legislative remap processes and has been in the House for five of them.