‘ComEd Four’ defendant convicted in bribery scheme could keep pension

By Patrick Andriesen

05/05/2023

Officials at the General Assembly Retirement System suspended Michael McClain’s legislative pension after he was convicted on nine counts of bribery in the ‘ComEd Four’ trial. Precedent suggests it may not be permanent.

TAGS: ComEd, Mike Madigan

Rising Illinois energy costs are legacy of Madigan’s corruption

04/25/2022

Laws that go around the normal rate-setting process are driving up energy prices for Illinois consumers. These laws were central to the scandal that brought down the nation’s longest-serving House speaker.

TAGS: ComEd, Mike Madigan

ComEd bribery scandal restitution denied for second time

By Patrick Andriesen

01/25/2022

The lawsuit filed on behalf of millions of ratepayers sought to recover the costs incurred during Commonwealth Edison’s attempts to sway former House Speaker Mike Madigan. It was dismissed for a second time.

TAGS: bribery, ComEd, Mike Madigan

Former Illinois House leader pleads guilty to bribery

By Dylan Sharkey

11/04/2021

A former Illinois House leader pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and then offering bribes to a state senator in an effort to push gambling legislation.

TAGS: bribery, ComEd, corruption, federal investigation, Luis Arroyo

Madigan chief pleads ‘not guilty’ as Illinois pushes for corruption fixes

By Brad Weisenstein

05/28/2021

Tim Mapes, longtime chief of staff to former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to federal charges he lied to a grand jury about Madigan and bribery. Strong ethics reforms can help fix Illinois’ culture of corruption.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, federal investigation, Mike Madigan, Tim Mapes

Former state senator, ComEd lobbyist faces tax fraud indictment

By Patrick Andriesen

04/02/2021

A former Illinois state senator was charged with federal income tax crimes. Her Senate financial disclosure statement shows why they are known as ‘none’ sheets. Reforms are needed.

TAGS: Annazette Collins, bribery, ComEd, corruption, Mike Madigan, tax fraud

Marijuana company investigated for pay to play? Hired Madigan cronies.

By Patrick Andriesen

04/01/2021

A Chicago-based marijuana company is facing a federal investigation into whether it bought influence to gain state licenses, sources told the Chicago Tribune. It hired four close associates of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, federal investigation, marijuana, Mike Madigan

After 50 years in Illinois House, 36 years ruling it, Mike Madigan is quitting

By Brad Weisenstein

02/18/2021

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is resigning as a state representative after 50 years in office. It came a little more than a month after he was ousted as speaker.

TAGS: bribery, ComEd, corruption, federal investigation, Mike Madigan, resignation

Illinois House ends Madigan investigation

By Brad Weisenstein

12/16/2020

The Illinois House Special Investigating Committee did little that was special or investigative before ending their probe of Mike Madigan.

TAGS: bribery, ComEd, investigation, Mike Madigan

Pritzker demands answers from Madigan as more Illinois lawmakers seek resignation

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