By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday that House Speaker Michael Madigan knows how he feels about the cloud of corruption at the Illinois statehouse, although the governor said he hasn’t spoken directly about the issue with the leader of the state’s Democratic party.
The latest in a series of a stream of corruption news included a report that a Madigan ally had tried to thwart the governor’s selection of a chief of staff. The Chicago Sun-Times this week reported former ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain sent messages to the governor’s office to try to block the governor’s choice.
“I was very upset when I read these remarks that somebody was making at the time, now it turns out as I understand it was who was reported today,” Pritzker said Monday.
Federal investigators raided McClain’s home this summer. The Chicago Tribune reported that emails showed McClain set up payments to a former Madigan aide after the aide was fired amid sexual harassment allegations. McClain has not been charged with a crime.
The report that McLain was trying to thwart Pritzker’s chief of staff selection comes after a report from the Chicago Tribune that said Madigan’s son was the subject of a federal investigation.
Pritzker was asked if he had talked to Madigan about federal investigations.
“I have not,” Pritzker said. “We honestly, the times when I do speak with the Speaker, it’s about legislation that I’m trying to get through. Sometimes he agrees with me. Sometimes he disagrees with me.”
Pritzker said the Speaker knows where he stands on corruption.
“We need to make sure that we’re putting forward legislation that deals with ethical lapses, the crimes that seem to have been committed,” Pritzker said.
Madigan, D-Chicago, has not been charged with a crime. He previously said that he was not the target of any investigation, but has not provided statements about the latest reports.
Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo, D-Chicago, was arrested for bribery after prosecutors said he was caught on tape by an unnamed state senator who was cooperating with investigators. Arroyo has pleaded not guilty and stepped down from office.
State Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, was charged with embezzling from a labor union. He has pleaded not guilty. He remains in office. His trial is set for next year.
Federal investigators also raided the home and offices of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Cicero. Investigators were looking for evidence of kickbacks. Sandoval has not been charged with a crime. He announced he would step down from office Jan. 1.
While voters will soon be bombarded with political messages supporting and opposing a progressive income tax, opponents of the proposed progressive income tax could use the news of federal corruption investigations and raids of elected officials and lobbyists to attack the proposed change. Pritzker didn’t seem worried that it would affect how Illinoisans vote on the proposal in November 2020.
“I think people understand that what we’re talking here is about historic change in the way that we fund our state government,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker said the corruption investigations were upsetting.
“I’m upset that there are people who have acted in a corrupt fashion in our government, in the legislature, they should be rooted out,” Pritzker said. “I want them out of government. They don’t deserve to hold public office.”
The state’s GOP has been updating a website, DemCorruption.com, with the latest about lawmakers reportedly under federal investigation.
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