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

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

Tackling Illinois corruption isn’t just a moral imperative. It’s a financial necessity.

On Jan. 29 the Illinois House of Representatives voted on new House Rules, but none of the new rules addressed the unparalleled power the Speaker of the House is given over the legislative process.

Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant.

The longtime speaker has held the gavel for 34 of the past 36 years, and maintains procedural powers unheard of in other states.

After sweeping victories for Illinois Democrats in November, Mike Madigan is all but assured an 18th term as speaker of the House of Representatives when new members are sworn in Jan. 9. Madigan has already broken the record for longest-serving state legislative speaker in U.S. history.

It’s understandable that Illinoisans complain about longstanding “Democrat rule” in the state legislature. But the real problem might be more about personnel than partisanship.

The longtime House speaker is the only state legislative leader in the nation to also serve as a party chairman.