Editorial: ‘Politics as usual?’ The ‘ComEd Four’ convictions say corruption is the better word

“Politics as usual.” That’s how defense lawyers in the corruption trial of the so-called ComEd Four tried to explain away their clients’ conduct. Nothing to see here, in other words, it’s just the way things get done in Springfield.

Thankfully, a jury of seven women and five men said no, the actions of the four defendants — former ComEd contract lobbyist Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd executive John Hooker and Jay Doherty, another ComEd lobbyist — weren’t “politics as usual.”