UPDATED 9:11 P.M.
CHICAGO, Ill. – The hammer has now come down on former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan — sometimes called “The Velvet Hammer.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Madigan, 79, has been indicted on 22 counts of bribery and racketeering. Madigan is accused 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,” said a news release. “Madigan and (co-defendant Michael) McClain allegedly caused various businesses, including the utility company Commonwealth Edison, to make monetary payments to Madigan’s associates as a reward for their loyalty to Madigan, at times in return for performing little or no legitimate work for the businesses. ”
Governor JB Pritzker was asked about the potential charges while at an event in Chicago Wednesday.
“I’ve been saying for years now that we’ve got to root out corruption wherever it exists in government,” said Pritzker. “That’s why we’ve passed, and I’ve signed, ethics reforms in the State of Illinois.”
Republicans have claimed Pritzker himself is corrupt based on some of his own business dealings. Pritzker had often tried to distance himself from Madigan while in office.
Madigan resigned from public life one year ago as the feds purportedly closed in on him.
He was speaker for almost the entirety of 27 years — making him the longest-serving state House speaker in U.S. history.
“Anybody who is guilty of corruption or corrupt acts in the State should be held, to the fullest extent of the law, accountable for their actions,” said Pritzker.
McClain, 74, of Quincy, also was charged, according to court documents available online.
Arraignments for Madigan and McClain have not yet been scheduled.
CLICK HERE to read the full indictment (pdf document).
