South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) argues it’s not hard to figure out why Democrats have been as slow as they have to speak out against embattled House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

“I think it’s because of all the money they’re depending on to come from him and his organization,” Wilhour told the South Central Reporter. “It’s the top reason why nothing ever gets done in Springfield, all the special interests.

After nearly four decades of being in control in Springfield, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd. Federal prosecutors contend the company engaged in a “years-long bribery scheme” involving jobs, contracts and payments that were steered to him in his role as house speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

To date, no charges have been filed against the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, but prosecutors have not been shy in asserting that the utility giant sought to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

“Democrats need to be doing more than we are to rid Springfield of this element, especially those in Southern Illinois and the Metro East area” Wilhour added. “It’s like they’re not representing people as much as a system. We need to clearly say Mike Madigan needs to go.”

In publicly announcing the case against Commonwealth Edison public, U.S. Attorney John Lausch noted the investigation is ongoing. The Chicago Tribune reports federal investigators have moved to subpoena Madigan for information, including “possible job recommendations.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Madigan said he plans to cooperate with the probe, adding “The speaker has never helped someone find a job with the expectation that the person would not be asked to perform work by their employer, nor did he ever expect to provide anything to a prospective employer if it should choose to hire a person he recommended.”

Wilhour insists he’s heard it all before.

“I think the evidence of impropriety is clearly there,” he said. “Not only does the speaker need to go but we need to be freezing all the campaign funds tied to him so we can start to get all the dirty money out of these campaigns.”