Will County Gazette

State Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) is questioning Gov. J.B. Pritzker's relationship with Mike Madigan following the former House Speaker's recent indictment on corruption charges.

Madigan was indicted on March 2 on federal racketeering and bribery charges, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. He was accused of using his position to increase his own political power while increasing wealth for himself and his political allies. The 22-count indictment includes charges of racketeering conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. 

After Madigan's indictment, Welter took to Facebook to remind Illinoisans that when Madigan first resigned, Pritzker gave him a positive endorsement.

"In February 2021, former Speaker Mike Madigan resigned amid a swirling cloud of serious allegations of wrongdoing," Welter wrote in his Facebook post. "He had already been identified by federal officials as Public Official A in ComEd's deferred prosecution agreement. Even so, Gov. Pritzker issued a glowing statement thanking Madigan for his years of 'dedicated public service.'"

According to WSIL News, when Madigan announced his resignation in February 2021, Pritzker issued a statement praising him for his service.

"Michael J. Madigan and his family dedicated countless hours to serving Illinois families, particularly during the Rauner years, when he served as the bulwark against constant cruelty to the most vulnerable," Pritzker wrote, according to WSIL News. "Over his decades in office, he shepherded through some of the most consequential changes to our state: bringing about the legalization of gay marriage, fighting on the frontlines for workers’ rights, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, expanding access to voting and protecting women’s reproductive rights. 

"The people of Illinois have much to be grateful for thanks to his dedicated public service, and the many sacrifices he and his family made to make a difference in our lives. I know how dearly he loves his wife Shirley, their children and grandchildren, and I hope that in this next chapter, his family can begin to make up for lost time."

Patch reported that Pritzker was recently investigated by prosecutors over any connections to Madigan's alleged criminal enterprise.

"As a governor who knew what it was like to link men and women to boards and commissions, who knew what it was like to work with Madigan, and work against Madigan, which is what I spent most of my time doing. … Pritzker does not have clean hands in this," former Gov. Rod Blagojevich said, according to Patch.

Blagojevich also mentioned a $7 million donation Pritzker made to Madigan in 2018.

Pritzker has a net worth of $3.6 billion, according to Forbes, making him the richest politician in the U.S.