4 steps to rid Illinois Statehouse of Madigan’s corrupt legacy

By Joe Tabor

01/19/2023

Now that the 103rd Illinois General Assembly is sworn in, an early order of business will be to establish the rules of the chambers. Those rules need more reform to ensure another Mike Madigan doesn’t gather too much power.

TAGS: house rules, Mike Madigan

Madigan pleads not guilty to corruption charges

By Dylan Sharkey

11/02/2022

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, denied all corruption accusations brought against them. Federal prosecutors said Madigan used his position to run a criminal enterprise.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Madigan’s arraignment over AT&T bribery charges set for Nov. 1

By Patrick Andriesen

10/25/2022

Michael Madigan, former Illinois House speaker, and his longtime political ally and operative will enter pleas in federal court Nov. 1. They are charged with coercing bribes from AT&T in return for passing favorable legislation in Springfield.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

AT&T Illinois fined $23 million for buying Madigan influence

By Dylan Sharkey

10/18/2022

AT&T Illinois will pay a $23 million fine for illegally influencing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Their former president, Paul La Schiazza, faces conspiracy charges.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

10 Illinois pension abuses show why taxpayers deserve reform

By Justin Carlson

08/04/2022

Illinois’ broken pension system has allowed loopholes and schemes that cheat other pensioners and drive up taxpayers’ burdens. Here are 10 examples.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Mike Madigan, pension reform, pensions

Madigan joked about ComEd bribes while in office

By Dylan Sharkey

05/23/2022

FBI recordings revealed new details about indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his scheme to exchange political favors for patronage appointments. He made a joke out of it.

TAGS: corruption, 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

Illinois House bill would jeopardize Madigan’s $151K pension

By Dylan Sharkey

04/04/2022

A new bill in the Illinois House calls for suspending the pensions for legislators facing corruption charges. Former House Speaker Michael Madigan, recently indicted for racketeering and bribery, is set to collect $12,600 per month starting in July.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan, pensions

Madigan pleads ‘not guilty’ to 22-count corruption indictment

By Dylan Sharkey

03/10/2022

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan entered a “not guilty” plea to federal racketeering and bribery charges March 9.

TAGS: corruption, federal investigation, Mike Madigan

Amendment 1 would permanently enshrine Madigan union deals in Illinois Constitution

By Dylan Sharkey

03/03/2022

Amendment 1 would permanently write indicted former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s public union deals into the state constitution. If passed, neither lawmakers nor voters could ever change them.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Mike Madigan, unions

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Cathy Stuehmeier

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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