Michael Madigan case a study of how Illinois’ cozy politics morphs into alleged crime
At its core, the alleged bribery scheme involving ex-Speaker Michael Madigan and utility giant Commonwealth Edison is an alarmingly familiar lesson on how often-cozy relationships between business leaders and politicians can catch the attention of federal prosecutors.
Like so many federal corruption probes before it, the case is replete with powerful political characters, bit players, well-connected lobbyists and big-business clout.
Unlike the investigations that felled two consecutive Illinois governors: Operation Safe Road and Operation Board Games, the ComEd bribery investigation has no official nickname, but still it has reverberated across the state’s political landscape.
Then came something of a political earthquake on Wednesday, when federal prosecutors returned a grand jury indictment charging Madigan and longtime confidant Michael McClain with racketeering conspiracy alleging an array of corrupt endeavors, including the ComEd bribery scheme.
The 22-count indictment, which alleged Madigan’s elected office and political operation were a criminal enterprise that provided personal financial rewards for him and his associates, had been anticipated for more than a year and half amid reports of FBI raids and wiretaps involving some of Madigan’s most trusted associates.
The first big
