‘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

‘ComEd 4’ found guilty on all counts in scheme to bribe Michael Madigan

By Patrick Andriesen

05/02/2023

The four top lobbyists and executives at the state’s largest electric utility were convicted May 2 for their involvement in a multi-year scheme to funnel $1.3 million in jobs, contracts and payments to sway the former Illinois House Speaker.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

ComEd 4 trial shows why fixing Illinois House Rules vital to stop next Madigan

By Joe Tabor

03/31/2023

The ComEd 4 corruption trial proves concentrated power breeds corruption. The fix? Reform the rules former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan crafted to concentrate all that power.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Illinois House backslides toward Madigan-era rules

By Joe Tabor

03/14/2023

The Illinois House has rolled back reforms made to its House Rules that govern how it conducts business in the wake of the Madigan Com-Ed scandal. New boss, same as the old boss?

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois House Rules, Mike Madigan, The Illinois House

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