Who in Springfield still owes Mike Madigan for getting elected?

Think former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s influence ended when he resigned or was convicted of bribery? Maybe not. Fifty-seven Illinois General Assembly members who received funds from Madigan’s political committees are still in office.

Fifty-seven sitting members of the Illinois General Assembly benefited in one way or another from funding controlled by former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, and some likely would not have been elected without it.

Madigan’s sentencing June 13 for his corrupt dealings with the Commonwealth Edison utility company is ending his ability to actively engage in politics. But the dynasty he built atop Illinois Democratic politics means his influence will linger.

In addition to being the longest-serving House speaker of any state in U.S. history, Madigan was the chair of the Democratic Party from 1998 until he resigned in 2021. That put him in control of millions in campaign funds in addition to his own committee funds: Friends of Michael J. Madigan and the 13th Ward Democratic Organization.

Madigan’s corruption was enabled by the self-reinforcing power accumulated in the Statehouse and within his party. The difference between winning and losing often depended on his favor, making him the lynchpin to getting anything done in Illinois.

His position as party chair meant the three Democrats appointed to investigate him had received total contributions ranging from $100,000 to almost $600,000 from the funds in his control. After he was forced to resign, one of those former lawmakers, Lisa Hernandez, became the new chair of the state party.

To avoid another Madigan, that position should stay separate from political officeholders.