McLean County Times

McClean County Board member Chuck Erickson argues longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) being implicated in a federal corruption probe screams from the term-limit reform he’s been hard at work advocating for.

“When someone is in power as long as Speaker Madigan has been, it just breeds corruption,” Erickson told the McClean County Times. “I think 12 years are enough time for any lawmaker to get the level of experience needed to bring about changes that truly make a difference."

Madigan, who easily reigns as the longest-tenured lawmaker in the state, now finds himself at the center of a still-evolving probe into ComEd, in which prosecutors are on record in asserting that 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.

While stopping short of formally hitting him with any charges, prosecutors contend Commonwealth Edison attempted to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

“I hope the General Assembly can find a way to get the crooks out of Springfield because right now they’re ruining the state for all of us,” Erickson added. “We need a redo in Springfield so we can get back to serving the people.”

Erickson adds the public has a definite role to play in improving the situation for themselves.  

“It will take the people demanding more,” he said. “People will have to rise up and say enough is enough. It will take both parties and if the feds have to come in as well so be it.”

In publicly announcing the case against ComEd public, U.S. Attorney John Lausch noted the investigation is ongoing. Tthe 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.”