I was relieved to learn that former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was found guilty by a federal jury in his corruption trial in Chicago. Madigan was accused of trading legislation for favors from powerful special interest groups.
The wiretaps and other evidence presented by prosecutors at the trial painted a picture of almost unfathomable levels of corruption and special interest wheeling-and-dealing, with Madigan and his associates profiting, while Illinois taxpayers paid the price. I am thankful for the investigators and prosecutors who spent years putting this case together and who finally brought Madigan to justice.
Michael Madigan ruled as one of the most powerful politicians in Illinois history. For 35 years he was the Speaker of the House, exercising his vast power to reward friends and punish opponents, with little regard for the well-being of the people of the state. Now that he has been convicted, we need to get serious about passing true ethics reform to rid state government of his system and start cleaning up the mess in Springfield.
