Veteran chairman of the Illinois House of Representatives and state Democratic Party chairman Michael Madigan faces requests for resignation after federal prosecutors implicated him in an alleged bribery scheme, which has resulted in the utility company Public ComEd accept a $ 200 million fine.
Federal prosecutors said public utility company ComEd admitted it provided jobs or contracts “for several associates of a high-level elected official for the state of Illinois.” While Madigan’s name was not mentioned, a federal court filing identifies the official as the speaker of the Illinois House.
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“The speaker has a lot to answer, to the authorities, to investigators and, most importantly, to the people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “If these allegations of wrongdoing by the speaker are true, there is no doubt that he will have betrayed public confidence and must resign.”
Prosecutors say the purpose of the alleged scheme was “to influence and reward the official’s efforts to assist ComEd with respect to the legislation relating to ComEd and its businesses.” In a press release, the United States Attorney’s Office said “Public Official A” influenced legislators regarding the legislation that affected ComEd. At this time, Madigan has not been charged and has not been formally charged with wrongdoing.
The $ 200 million fine for ComEd is part of a deferred prosecution agreement that the company signed. The investigation into the alleged plan continues, and a state spokeswoman for the Democratic Party confirmed that Madigan received subpoenas to deliver documents.
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“It will cooperate and respond to those requests for documents, which it believes will clearly demonstrate that it has done nothing criminal or inappropriate,” spokeswoman Maura Possley said in a statement.
Madigan has served in the state legislature since 1971. He first assumed the role of speaker in 1983, and has served since then, with the exception of two years when Democrats lost their majority. He is the oldest state lecturer in the country. His daughter Lisa also served as the state’s attorney general.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
