Will County Gazette

Conservative activist Mike Fricilone fumes he could have predicted the ending in the case of the Special House committee convened to look into some of House Speaker Mike Madigan’s most questionable actions.

"It goes along with what Democrats always do in terms of looking the other way when it comes to Mike Madigan,” Fricilone told the Will County Gazette. “That's the way they handle everything he does out of fear of some sort backlash coming from him.”

The six-member bipartisan panel recently pulled the plug on proceedings after hearing from just one witness and not issuing a subpoena demanding that Madigan appear before the committee to talk about his role in a pay-for-play scheme involving ComEd where all the perks were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.

In their first gathering since September, members spent most of their time sparring over process before arriving at a deadlocked vote that completely played out along party lines. As has always been the case, Fricilone said he is concentrated on the ongoing federal probe that has pegged Madigan as a central figure and has already ensnared several individuals with close ties to him.

While Democrat chair Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch of Hillside has blasted the hearing as a “political show trial” and a “sham,” Fricilone is hoping the real fireworks are yet to come.

“I think the federal investigation will bring out everything and expose the speaker’s true colors,” he said. “I know everyone would like to see things move faster but leaving no stone unturned will assure that the truth comes out.”

Fricilone added he isn’t surprised to see Madigan fight as hard as he is in hopes of holding onto to power.

“All the people that have vowed not to support him are doing the right thing,” he said. “He’s the typical politician that doesn’t know anything else, including knowing how to move out of the way for change.”