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

Madigan’s former chief indicted for lying about boss, bribery suspect

By Brad Weisenstein

05/26/2021

A federal probe again hit close to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The indictment of his former chief of staff is the latest indication questions are still being asked about Madigan, bribery and corruption.

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

Illinois is under ‘extreme’ threat of drawing another Madigan election map

By Joe Tabor

05/20/2021

Illinois is listed as one of the states under ‘extreme’ danger of partisan gerrymandering of its state legislative and congressional redistricting maps. Gov. J.B. Pritzker can stop that threat.

TAGS: gerrymandering, Illinois, legislative map, Mike Madigan

No more Madigans, maybe, as 10-year term limits for legislative leaders passes Illinois House

04/22/2021

Illinois state representatives almost unanimously voted to stop legislative leaders from again building a 36-year dynasty like former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. The Illinois House passed a 10-year term limit on party leaders in both the Illinois House and Senate.

TAGS: Illinois, leadership, Mike Madigan, term limits

Madigan begins collecting $7,093-a-month public pension

By Brad Weisenstein

04/06/2021

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will collect $85,000 a year, but in a little more than a year his pension will shoot up to nearly $150,000 a year.

TAGS: GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, Mike Madigan, pensions

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

Bill would have stopped campaign fund use to settle sexual harassment suits

By Ann Miller

03/29/2021

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan spent nearly $900,000 in campaign funds to fight a sexual harassment lawsuit. A bill would stop lawmakers from using donations to settle harassment claims.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, ethics, Mike Madigan, sexual harrassment

Bill would stop Illinois lawmakers from getting public pensions

By Brad Weisenstein

03/09/2021

State lawmakers have significantly abused and underfunded their own pension system. Ending it would be a plus, but only a constitutional amendment will stop pension debt from swallowing Illinois.

TAGS: Dave Vella, GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, John Cabello, Mike Madigan, pensions

Illinois corruption reforms gain momentum with Madigan gone

By Joe Tabor

03/04/2021

With Mike Madigan out as Illinois House speaker, state lawmakers have a unique opportunity to turn around the second-most corrupt state in the country. Ethics proposals are gaining support.

TAGS: Chris Welch, corruption, ethics, Mike Madigan, resignation