Will County Gazette

State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is unsurprised by a group of talking points in defense of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan.

Corruption should end in Illinois according to the Republican representative from Plainfield. 

“Former Speaker Madigan was protected for so long that nothing surprises me anymore,” Batinick told Will County Gazette.

On March 2, a 22-count indictment alleged Michael Madigan on racketeering and bribery charges. Batinick applauded the release of the indictment paper.

“Today, Mike Madigan is finally being held accountable for the years of corruption that created a pervasive and notorious culture of corruption in Springfield," Batinick said in a statement. "As the first sitting state representative to call for his resignation in December 2019, this day is encouraging that we will not tolerate this toxic culture of backroom deals and bribery anymore in Illinois.”

In favor of Madigan "Indictment talking points" were released from the office of House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), which was retracted by Welch himself. 

"While I always stand with law enforcement, I, unfortunately, feel I must call into question certain aspects of the investigation process regarding Speaker Madigan’s case," the memo on talking points stated. "From the start, he has faced unfair, partisan accusations; charges which appear to have influenced the indictments laid out today."

Welch who was Madigan’s handpicked successor became the chairman of a committee investigating Madigan's conduct. He was accused of protecting Madigan in 2020 after closing a probe into the ComEd bribery scandal. 

"You’re going through excruciating lengths to protect Michael J. Madigan from ever having to testify to his nefarious behavior," Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) said at the time, according to WGN9.

Madigan was accused to have been involved in a $150 million bribery scandal.

In a statement, Madigan said he was "never involved in any criminal activity" in his 50 years in office. Madigan, who spent 36 years as House Speaker, the longest in the country’s history, is accused of using the office for personal gain. "I adamantly deny these accusations and look back proudly on my time as an elected official, serving the people of Illinois," Madigan added.