Kendall County Times

With former House Speaker Michael Madigan wrapped up in a corruption case, politicians call for stronger reforms.

Wheeler criticizes Illinois Democrats for failing to pass meaningful ethics reform/dismantle the systems that allowed Madigan to stay in power for so long.

"Ending corruption in Illinois means elected officials need to be held to the highest ethical standards. 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," said Rep. Keith Wheeler.

Madigan was indicted on March 2 for federal racketeering and bribery charges. According to a release from the Department of Justice, "The 22-count indictment accuses Madigan of leading for nearly a decade a criminal enterprise whose purpose was to enhance Madigan's political power and financial well-being while also generating income for his political allies and associates." 

Madigan is facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, as well as individual counts of using interstate facilities to carry out bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion. The release notes that in addition to his role as speaker of the House, Madigan has also held the positions of representative of Illinois's 22nd District, committeeman for Chicago's 13th Ward, chairman of both the Illinois Democratic Party and the 13th Ward Democratic Organization and partner at the Chicago law firm of Madigan & Getzendanner.

Madigan has probably triggered a year-long battle in court as he pleaded "not guilty" to all the federal charges that were placed against him.

The last legislative inspector general (LIG), Carol Pope, resigned in July, stating that the failure to pass any meaningful reforms shows that "true ethics reform is not a priority" for lawmakers. 

“I thought I could be useful in improving the public’s view of the legislature and help bring about true ethics reform. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so. This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority,” she said.

One proposed ethics reform bill, HB 5046, would prohibit any state lawmaker from running again if they have been charged with crimes that fall under a felony while in office. WTTW described HB 5046 as "currently stalled in Springfield."