North Cook News

Sean Morrison, the 17th District Cook County commissioner, is calling for the aggressive sentencing of former house speaker Michael Madigan.

“Mike Madigan orchestrated the fundamental failures unraveling throughout the State of Ill., the County of Cook and the City of Chicago. His iron grip on power and authority lead to gerrymandered; state house, state senate districts, tax board districts, congressional districts, County Board districts, all crafted to ensure one-party democrat rule throughout the state of Illinois," Sean Morrison told North Cook News. "The result Leading to the systemic failure and burden to Illinois families of legacy debt and unpaid pension mandates. We now see he and many other Politicians operated a scheme of self-dealing. If convicted he and others should go to jail."

In a series of papers and documents revealed 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.

“I would like to see the most aggressive prosecution and sentencing of Madigan and all the other corrupt politicians indicted as a result of this federal investigation, and real ethics transparency rules and ordinances be passed at the state and local levels," Morrison said.

In a statement announcing the indictment, the Department of Justice noted Madigan 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," U.S. Attorney Lausch, who filed the indictment, said in a statement. "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, held power for 36 years as House speaker. 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 has continued as a senior partner with Madigan and Getzendanner, a law firm specializing in property tax adjustments. For years Madigan was also criticized for his role in that firm for its close ties to other prominent Democrats, including former Cook County Assessor and Cook County Democratic Party Chair Joe Berrios.