A former speaker of the house for the Illinois House of Representatives has been indicted on charges including racketeering and bribery. Michael Madigan, former Speaker of the House was indicted on federal racketeering, bribery, wire fraud, and extortion charges.  Prosecutors say that Madigan used his position in the House to solicit bribes from an electrical company called ComEd where he would do legislative favors for the company in exchange for jobs and money for his political allies. 

A 22 page indictment was filed in court alleging that Madigan was charged of accumulating $2.8 million in proceeds from racketeering. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin says this indictment is a sweeping public corruption charge not just again Madigan but against the Democrat party that he ran.

Leader Durkin says that Madigan still has his fingerprints over the House.

In late 2020, Illinois House Republicans called for an Illinois House Special Investigating committee to determine what Madigan’s role was in the ComEd scandal.  Newly picked Speaker Chris Welch called it a stunt and a joke.  

Madigan faces 22 charges.  He released the following statement. “I was never involved in any criminal activity. The government is attempting to criminalize a routine constituent service: job recommendations. That is not illegal, and these other charges are equally unfounded. Throughout my 50 years as a public servant, I worked to address the needs of my constituents, always keeping in mind the high standards required and the trust the public placed in me. I adamantly deny these accusations and look back proudly on my time as an elected official, serving the people of Illinois.”