By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – There’s action to report on Commonwealth Edison and House Speaker Mike Madigan (pictured) (D-Chicago).

A special House committee will investigate the events which have the utility paying a $200 million fine in a “deferred prosecution” agreement, and whether Madigan should be disciplined, or even expelled. Com Ed admitted bribery to get its way in the legislature, though Madigan has not been charged.

State Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside) will chair the committee, which includes three members of each party. But he is certain the outcome will not be 3-3.

“I have worked with every member on this committee,” Welch told WTAX News. “i respect the folks who have been appointed to this committee. I expect to have some very strident discussion, but i believe it’s going to be fair debate; but i believe this committee will take its responsibility seriously. But were going to get the job done.”

In addition to Welch, the Democrats are Reps. Lisa Hernandez of Cicero and Natalie Manley of Joliet. The Republicans are Reps. Tom Demmer of Dixon, Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst, and Grant Wehrli of Naperville.

A statement from Madigan says the Speaker has never moved legislation with “improper motives.” He also chided Republicans for devoting attention to this as a distraction from President Trump, whom Madigan accuses of sowing “racial divisions.”

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), noting he is using rules of Madigan’s creation, got this process going. And while he has asked for Madigan’s resignation, he says this is not about that.

“This is about addressing, I would say, the biggest problem we have in the State of Illinois – and that’s the ethics which we must live up to and which the speaker has refused to take up time and time again.”

Durkin says, regardless of Madigan being unindicted, “it’s clear (from the Com Ed deferred prosecution agreement) that the Speaker was not unaware of this. He was well aware of it and was involved.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]