Illinois ethics panel begins with small ethical lapse

By Ben Szalinski

12/23/2019

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed a former state lawmaker to his panel on ethics and lobbying. Trouble was, the lawmaker had recently worked as a lobbyist.

TAGS: Christine Radogno, ComEd, ethics, ethics task force, federal investigation, Heather Steans, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, JB Pritzker, lawmakers, lobbying, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, Springfield

Chicago City Council votes to ban lobbying by elected leaders

By Ben Szalinski

12/20/2019

Chicago’s second round of anti-corruption rules restricts aldermen and city employees from working as lobbyists and stops other elected leaders from lobbying city government for private clients.

TAGS: bribery, Chicago, Chicago City Council, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Larry Suffredin, lawmakers, lobbying, Lori Lightfoot, Luis Arroyo, Michael Zalewski, Michele Smith, Mike Madigan, ordinance, Springfield, Terry Link

Sexual harassment case against Madigan campaign ends with $275K settlement

By Brad Weisenstein

12/09/2019

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan settled a sexual harassment case involving his former political lieutenant, but the related corruption implications are far from over.

TAGS: #metoo, AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Alaina Hampton, ComEd, Democratic Party, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, federal lawsuit, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois House of Representatives, Kevin Quinn, Legislative Inspector General, lobbying, Mike Madigan, sexual harrassment, Springfield, Tim Mapes

FBI asking about Madigan money, political clout in corruption investigation

By Austin Berg

12/06/2019

There is little doubt the FBI is targeting the longtime House speaker and Democratic political boss in their sweeping investigation of Illinois corruption.

TAGS: ComEd, Commonwealth Edison, corruption, Democratic Party, ethics, fair maps, fair tax, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, gerrymandering, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, independent maps, lawmakers, Mike Madigan, revolving door, rules committee, Springfield, watchdog

Look past the faces of Illinois corruption to see the larger problem

By Amy Korte

12/02/2019

Focus too much on single aspects of Illinois corruption and the big picture will be lost, along with chances to fix the problems.

TAGS: Chicago, ComEd, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, ethics, ethics task force, federal investigation, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, lawmakers, leadership, Legislative Inspector General, lobbying, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, watchdog

Leaked emails from federal investigation reveal Madigan as ‘Himself’

By Austin Berg

11/21/2019

Federal authorities have obtained phone calls and emails from a key member of Madigan's political inner circle. Now that information is leaking.

TAGS: #metoo, Chicago Tribune, ComEd, corruption, Democratic Party, federal investigation, Illinois, Illinois House of Representatives, Kevin Quinn, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain, sexual harrassment

FBI wiretapped cellphone of close Madigan confidant

By Austin Berg

11/13/2019

The FBI wiretap of Mike McClain's phone is an indication authorities could be looking into criminal activity between House Speaker Mike Madigan and utility giant ComEd.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, Martin Sandoval, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Madigan and ComEd are at the center of federal heat

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

Illinoisans shouldn’t have to wait for federal raids to curb corruption at the capitol.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mike Madigan

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

As previously undisclosed subpoena adds another angle to federal agents’ activity surrounding the longtime House speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jay Doherty, JB Pritzker, Kevin Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Feds raid former Chicago alderman’s home in search of Madigan records

By Austin Berg

07/13/2019

The raid on retired Chicago Ald. Michael Zalewski is the latest indication federal authorities could be building a case against the nation’s longest-serving speaker.

TAGS: ComEd, Exelon, Madigan & Getzendanner, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan

Special report: Illinois must act now to guard against COVID-19 financial fallout

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