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A jury convicted all four defendants on all counts in the case in
which prosecutors alleged they were involved in a scheme to gain
former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s support for
legislation that would benefit the utility's bottom line.
After the trial, one juror admitted the tainted history of Illinois
politics was on the minds of the 12-person jury.
The reaction from the guilty verdicts spilled onto the floor of the
Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, said it took everyday
Illinois citizens to do what the House Majority has failed to
address.
“God bless these jurors,” Wilhour said. “God bless these everyday
citizens that had the guts and the common sense to do what the
Democrats in this body have steadfastly refused to do.”
Wilhour noted that ethics reforms are so weak in Illinois that the
Legislative Inspector General resigned in disgust because she
couldn't do her job.
Carol Pope noted in her July 2021 resignation letter that lawmakers
did nothing to help her with investigations during the 2020
legislative session.
“This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is
not a priority,” Pope said. “The LIG has no real power to effect
change or shine a light on ethics violations. The position is
essentially a paper tiger.”
Madigan is scheduled to go to trial in April of next year on several
charges, including racketeering, bribery and official misconduct.
Wilhour asked House Democrats what will it take for them to finally
act on weeding out corruption in Springfield.
“Maybe when your former speaker Michael Madigan goes to jail his
successor will be spurred to action,” he said. “I hope so, the
people hope so, and with this verdict it's just the beginning, but
they put all of us on notice, and I hope we hear them.”
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois
for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio
news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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