Former Republican House candidate Mike Babcock (R-Wood River) is confused about how the Special House Committee convened to look into some of the actions of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) arrived at their decision so quickly.
“I just don’t get how you can come to that point without so much as talking to the person who he is at the center of the investigation,” Babcock told the Metro East Sun. “To me that’s just laughable, especially when you’re talking about a guy that everyone knows is a pay-for-pay player.”
In addition to not issuing a subpoena requiring Madigan to appear, the six-member bipartisan panel abruptly pulled the plug on proceedings after hearing from just one witness in an investigation where Madigan is suspected of receiving bribes for ComEd in exchange for favorable legislation.
Former Republican House candidate Mike Babcock (R-Wood River)
| File Photo
Despite all the questions, members of the committee spent their first gathering since September sparing over process. This was before arriving at a deadlocked vote, one that completely played out along party lines.
“Imagine that, ComEd’s already been forced to pay million in fines and Madigan doesn’t have to take questions,” Babcock said. “With a Biden administration, I’m starting to think he may be able to skate in the federal investigation as well. He’s definitely a tough code to crack.”
Babcock stated he sometimes wonders what still makes Madigan tick the way he does.
“With all the people waiting to take his place, you would think his power would have to be waning some,” Babcock said. “But he’s still connected and doing the same things he’s always done while still being smart enough to figure out how to allude having to account for any of it.”
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