North Cook News

Illinois state Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) argues that voters will have to serve as judge and jury in the ongoing federal corruption probe of state government.

“It’s pretty clear that Chicago, Cook County and the state of Illinois have been ripe with political corruption for decades, and the question is up to the voters on when they are going to say enough is enough,” Morrison told the North Cook News. “People need to start paying attention to those in office and candidates that are running for those positions and rooting out the politicians and political party that has run Cook County for decades.”

Morrison says the latest example of how much change is needed comes from the raids executed on the home and office of longtime state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago). Federal agents recently swooped in amid growing reports that Sandoval is suspected of using his power and influence to steer business to at least one company in exchange for kickbacks.

Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago)

Sandoval is latest state lawmaker or political operative with close ties to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to recently come under investigation. Four months ago, federal agents raided the home Chicago Ald. Marty Quinn’s brother, Kevin Quinn, a one-time political and government operative of Madigan’s ousted after he was hit with allegations of sexual harassment.

“Voters are the ones who tolerate this one-party rule,” Morrison said. “I knock on a lot of doors and it seems that the news and politics that are on the minds of a lot of people are national in origin. Because of that, they’re missing out on the very levels of government that have a far greater impact on their day-to-day lives, and that involves things like how our communities are governed and property taxes. For most people, their state and local property taxes are significantly greater than any federal taxes.”