Kendall County Times

Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) is asking for ethics reform in the wake of the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. 

“Ending corruption in Illinois means elected officials need to be held to the highest ethical standards," Wheeler said on Facebook. "Democrats need to stop dragging their feet on real ethics reform in our state so we can end the practices that kept Mike Madigan in control for decades.”

Madigan is facing a 22-count federal indictment on charges of bribery and racketeering. He has denied all accusations.

“I adamantly deny these accusations and look back proudly on my time as an elected official, serving the people of Illinois,” Madigan said. 

The indictment released by the U.S Attorney's Office noted that Gov. J.B. Pritzker appears to have taken orders from Madigan regarding politically connected job-seekers, including former Chicago alderman Danny Solis, who sought a six-figure state appointment.

Page 71 of the indictment paper read: 

“It was further part of the scheme that, on or about August 2, 2018, MADIGAN met with Alderman A, and during the meeting: (a) Alderman A explained that he was most interested in appointment to a State board that would pay him over $100,000 a year; (b) MADIGAN explained that he would assist Alderman A in obtaining an appointment to a State board by “go[ing] to [the future Governor of the State of Illinois]. That’s what I would do. . . . So you’d come in as [the future Governor’s] 72 recommendation.”

Pritzker denied those accusations. 

“The governor does not recall Michael Madigan ever asking him to consider Danny Solis for any position," a Pritzker spokesman said in a statement.