Will County Gazette

Former Illinois House of Representatives District 85 candidate Ron Doweidt is pointing out local politicians representing parts of Will County who kept Michael Madigan in power after Gov. J.B. Pritzker ignored calls to stop projects benefitting Madigan supporters.   

"Nine of Illinois’ state Democratic representatives sent a letter to Gov. Pritzker requesting that he freeze funding for projects sponsored by Madigan," Doweidt said on Facebook. "One of the projects was for noise abatement in Bedford park. The project would benefit Madigan law clients who own a hotel in the area. Neither Natalie Manly, representative in the 98th District, nor Dagmara Avelar, representative in the 85th District, were among the signers. Both voted for Madigan to remain as speaker of the House in 2020 and neither face opposition in this year’s election." 

The objecting Democrats suggested the funds and their origin under Madigan be investigated further. In consideration of the possibility that "some of the funding for these projects may have already been allocated, and projects completed or underway," they also requested "another layer of review to determine whether they were an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars."

"The massive 22-count indictment of Madigan calls into question the legitimacy of these projects and whether they inured to the benefit of the community and the taxpayers or whether they were advanced at the behest of Madigan on behalf of or to benefit his private law clients or other politically-connected individuals or entities," the letter from the legislators reads. 

The Better Government Association reported that Pritzker lifted the freeze on funding for Madigan’s projects over the objections of nine Illinois Democrats. Madigan is facing 22 counts of public corruption charges, noting that he used his position of influence to help well-connected friends.  

The Better Government Association previously reported on projects worth $4 billion that were created by Madigan and others as part of the $45 billion "Rebuild Illinois" project. Madigan was a key player in selecting projects included in the program, adding $144 million in projects alone.