Will County Gazette

Veteran state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) is convinced the arrest of a former ComEd top executive in connection with the sweeping federal corruption probe now gripping Springfield casts even more scrutiny on embattled House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“There’s no question this moves the action closer to Madigan,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “What’s hilarious is Democrats still don’t have the courage to demand that he resign. They'e still subject to his control and controlled by his money.”

Federal authorities recently moved to charge Fidel Marquez, who formerly served as vice president of governmental affairs, with bribery and conspiracy stemming from his alleged part in a pay-for-play scheme in which indictments say jobs, contracts and payments were steered to associates known to be close to Madigan in exchange for his support on certain legislation.

Earlier this summer, federal investigators also announced that the utility giant had been charged with a years-long bribery scheme where at least $1.3 million in perks were steered to Madigan associates. At the same time, Madigan’s office was served with a grand jury subpoena seeking more information about their dealings with such companies as at AT&T, Walgreens and Rush University Medical Center.

“I don’t think anyone is surprised by this,” McDermed added. “Anyone who’s been paying attention knows that ComEd is in the crosshairs of the U.S. attorney and Marquez was very instrumental in their lobbying efforts in Springfield.”

Even though lawmakers recently moved to create a special House committee to look into Madigan’s actions and determine if they merit discipline up to possible expulsion, McDermed is convinced it will take federal intervention to fully clean up Springfield.

“I don’t expect anything to come out of the committee’s work,” she said. “At the end of the day, the rules of the House are such that Madigan can delay and control the proceedings exactly the way he chooses. This committee is no different.”