Rick Laib | File photo
Rick Laib | File photo
Republican Congressional candidate Rick Laib fears House Speaker Mike Madigan still stands to be at the controls of Illinois politics, even as a bipartisan Special House committee has gained approval to look into some of his most questionable conduct.
“The General Assembly does not have a history of moving Madigan in a direction he does not want to move,” Laib told the Will County Gazette. “It will be interesting to see what they can do now with strong preparation and this different dynamic of equal members of both parties.”
Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a purported pay-for-play scheme in which all perks where steered to the veteran lawmaker in exchange for his support on pending legislation. ComEd officials have already admitted to providing jobs and other perks to known Madigan associates.
Laib, who is now running against U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Illinois) in the 11th District, says he doesn’t expect Madigan to make things easy.
“He has not demonstrated a strong sense of openness in non-exploratory settings,” he said. “That is to say, for those looking for answers the burden will be put on the questioner.”
In a letter sent to committee lawmakers paving the way for them to press forward, U.S. Attorney John Lausch said his office does not “object generally” to the committee members calling forward people connected to the investigation and that witnesses would be allowed to tell lawmakers the same information they told the feds.
Still, Laib said he doesn’t expect Madigan to appear.
“He has regarded this as a publicity stunt; I see no reason why he would willingly testify,” he said. “The committee is right to move forward, but as election season ramps up there will be demands on time.”
As always, Laib said he expects Democrats to just go along with Madigan's plans.
“He has developed his career not as a leader to many Democrats, but as a provider,” he said. “I do not expect their response to include any degree of pushback or confrontation.”
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