Ex-State Sen. Martin Sandoval charged in two-count indictment

Posted on January 27, 2020
Sandoval this month dropped out of the General Assembly. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The ongoing federal investigation into Illinois government and politics has taken another step. 

Last year, the Capitol office of State Sen. Martin Sandoval was raided. Now comes word of a two-count indictment – bribery and filing false tax returns – and possible Sandoval cooperation. 

State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) says Sandoval was wrong to squash McSweeney’s proposal to ban red light cameras. “The red light camera program in Illinois is corrupt. I passed a bill out of the House in 2015 to ban it,” said McSweeney. “Now we know why. Sandoval was on the payroll of the red light camera interests.”

Sandoval this month dropped out of the General Assembly.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…