Metro East Sun

Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser is applauding the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Slusser also urged that local Democrats should also be liable for allowing Madigan to continue his acts, stating that “they did his bidding for many years, and should be held accountable at the ballot boxes this November.”

“Finally! It’s amazing that a man like Mike Madigan was allowed to remain with absolute power over the State of Illinois for 4 decades,” Slusser posted on Facebook.

In several papers and documents uncovered as part of the investigation, Madigan was known as "official A." He and former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist and Quincy-native Michael McClain have been accused of running a racketeering ring involved in a $150 million bribery scandal.

“There were a lot of Democrat politicians in this state who enabled him, including our local Democrat state reps, who willfully took his millions of dollars in campaign donations in exchange for supporting him with their vote for House Speaker every two years,” Slusser said.

According to a statement announcing the indictment, the Department of Justice noted that the former House Speaker was indicted on "racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates."  

"Corruption by an elected official and his associates undermines the public’s confidence in our government," United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John R. Lausch, Jr., who filed the indictment, said. “The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful private gain.  Rooting out and prosecuting the kind of corruption alleged in the indictment will always be a top priority for this office.”

Madigan, 79, was seated as the House speaker for 36 years. He resigned on Feb. 18, 2021, months after his and McClain’s operation was discovered to have funneled $150 million in bribes through ComEd. ComEd itself was investigated under the federal racketeering RICO law until it signed a plea worth $200 million.

Madigan remained as a senior partner with Madigan and Getzendanner, a law firm specializing in property tax adjustments. For years he was also criticized for his role in that organization for its close ties to other prominent Democrats, including former Cook County Assessor and Cook County Democratic Party Chair Joe Berrios.