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One conviction a week: Illinois ranked most corrupt large state under Madigan 
Illinois Policy Institute experts are available to comment on the House Speaker vote today

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Jan. 13, 2021) – As lawmakers gather today to elect the next speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, a new analysis from the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute reveals Illinois ranks most corrupt among the top 10 most populous states.

Since Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s tenure started in 1983, Illinois saw 1,978 public officials convicted on federal charges of corruption, according to U.S. Department of Justice data available through 2018. That’s an average of more than one conviction per week for 36 years.

Now as Madigan celebrates his 50-year anniversary of serving in the General Assembly, his future as speaker – as well as Illinois’ status quo – is uncertain.

Experts from the Illinois Policy Institute are available to discuss the House Speaker vote today. Researchers note nothing would stop a Madigan successor from exploiting the House rules – the same system Madigan used to control which bills make it to the floor, when they’re voted on and who votes on them.

Amy Korte, vice president of policy at the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute, offered the following statement:

“Even if Madigan is no longer speaker, the power structure he’s built will remain. That’s why Illinois must dismantle the system itself in order to end corruption within the state.

“Lawmakers can leverage the current momentum for lasting, meaningful change. That means voting to change the House Rules to disperse power over the legislative process and passing reforms such as fair maps, a more independent Legislative Inspector General’s Office and ending the revolving door from lawmaker to lobbyist. This vote is Illinois’ opportunity to make a clean break with the culture of corruption for which Springfield is notorious.”

To read the full report and to view the Institute’s solution set, visit: illin.is/corruptspeaker

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