Will County Gazette

State Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) fumes the ongoing federal corruption probe that has ensnared House Speaker Mike Madigan proves just how little regard lawmakers in Springfield have for the welfare of the residents they represent.

“Mike Madigan and the Democratic Party of Illinois have all the money, so Democrats elected have clearly let the money guide their response rather than welfare of the citizens of Illinois,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “All the Democratic men and almost all of the women are keeping their heads down. No one wants to make the first move.”

After nearly four decades of being in control in Springfield, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd. Federal prosecutors contend the company engaged in a “years-long bribery scheme” involving jobs, contracts and payments that were steered to him in his role as house speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

To date, no charges have been filed against the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, but prosecutors have not been shy in asserting that the utility giant sought to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

McDermed argues the verdict is already in when it comes to the way Democrats have allowed Madigan to run roughshod over state government.

“People in the state of Illinois have so normalized corruption that we think it’s OK for elected officials to operate where they’re clearly driven by corruption,” she added. “Democrats have held control for so long and divvied up everything among their cronies, people don’t think of much of anything as being immoral and unethical.”

A spokesperson from the speaker’s office is on record in asserting Madigan plans to cooperate with the investigation and has nothing to hide.