|
 The federal investigation into Illinois House Speaker Michael
Madigan’s relationships goes well beyond the charges filed against Commonwealth
Edison. Investigators earlier this year served AT&T with a subpoena in search of
ties to Madigan, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Madigan’s office was served with a grand jury subpoena on July 17, asking for
records about various individuals and companies Madigan had relationships with.
This included information on hiring and lobbying at AT&T, Walgreens and Rush
University Medical Center.
U.S. Attorney John Lausch said the investigation is “vibrant and it will
continue.”
The Tribune reported AT&T and ComEd had many of the same former Madigan staffers
and state representatives on their employment rosters. This included Madigan’s
former political director Tom Cullen and legal counsel Heather Wier Vaught.
Former state Reps. Kevin McCarthy and James Brosnahan also got lobbying jobs
with each company. AT&T Illinois President Eileen Mitchell worked for Madigan
and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
AT&T and employees of the company have donated significant amounts to Madigan’s
campaigns too. About $236,000 has been donated to three accounts under Madigan’s
control since 2016, more than the company and its employees have given to any
other lawmaker.
In 2018, lawmakers passed House Bill 1811 in favor of AT&T, which raised rates
for 9-1-1 calls throughout Illinois. Some lawmakers threatened to cancel 9-1-1
in Illinois if the bill was not passed.
While investigators continue to delve into how hiring at AT&T and ComEd is
influenced by Madigan, one former associate disputes this.
[
to
top of second column] |
“It’s not traditional for people to ask Speaker
Madigan for help,” Liz Brown-Reeves, a former Madigan staffer and
current AT&T lobbyist, told the Tribune.
Walgreens is being scrutinized because one of its former lobbyists
was Michael McClain, a former state representative and close Madigan
ally. He had his home raided last year as investigators sought
records about ComEd’s lobbying. McClain was a ComEd lobbyist for
years.
What is becoming clear is that Madigan had significant sway with
these companies in exchange for his legislative support. The charges
against ComEd allege the speaker was able to name people to jobs,
including some as meter readers, after the company directed $1.3
million in contracts and payments to his associates.
Madigan’s actions outline the desperate need for serious ethics and
lobbying reform in Springfield. Illinois is one of just 11 states
that do not stop lawmakers from becoming lobbyists immediately after
leaving office. This revolving door allows former lawmakers to
return to Springfield and lobby their former colleagues on
legislation. Many other states enforce a mandatory two-year
cooling-off period.
With corruption running rampant in the state House, lawmakers need
to demand reforms to reduce the powers of the speaker of the House.
Without serious reform that gets at the root of the problem,
Illinoisans will continue to watch the state get dragged down by
lawmakers who only care about their own interests.
Click here to respond to the editor about this article
|
