Will County Gazette

Christina Clausen, chairman of the Will County Republican Central Committee, said former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership fostered a deeply entrenched culture of corruption following his conviction on 10 charges of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud.

Madigan, who served 36 years as House Speaker — the longest tenure of any legislative leader in U.S. history — was found guilty of using his political influence for personal gain in connection with the state’s largest utility, ComEd. His trial, which included wiretap evidence and recordings, revealed his use of power for personal gain, leading to his downfall after decades in office.

“Michael Madigan’s leadership in the Illinois House cultivated a deeply entrenched culture of corruption, with the ComEd bribery scheme serving as a prime example of how power was leveraged for personal and political gain,” Clausen told the Will County Gazette. 

“His control over the state government was absolute, allowing him to operate without accountability for decades. By dictating policy, appointments, and budgets, he created an environment where backroom deals thrived, often at the expense of taxpayers.”

From 1983 to 2023, Illinois averaged more than one corruption conviction per week, a period that coincided with Madigan’s leadership. Over those 40 years, there were 2,168 convictions, with Madigan at the center of the state’s political landscape until his departure in 2021. 

Even after his tenure, Illinois recorded 59 corruption convictions in 2023, most of which were in the Northern District, including Chicago.

Clausen noted that while Madigan’s conviction is significant for Illinois, it will take more than his downfall to change the political landscape.

She also stressed that real change will come only if both lawmakers and voters demand reforms.

“His conviction is a landmark moment for Illinois politics, but real change will depend on whether lawmakers and voters demand reforms to prevent future abuses of power,” Clausen said. “While some may view his downfall as a warning sign, the political machine he built won’t disappear overnight. Structural changes such as greater transparency, ethics reforms, and independent redistricting are necessary to undo the damage his tenure caused.” 

Madigan’s 36-year tenure as Speaker gave him significant control, not just in shaping legislation but also in Illinois’ fiscal policies. 

According to Illinois Policy, Madigan’s control over the legislative process led to poor budgeting practices, including reliance on borrowing and budget gimmicks, contributing to Illinois’ current fiscal challenges.

“Madigan’s legacy is one of financial mismanagement, sky-high taxes, pension debt and population decline,” she said. “His iron grip over redistricting ensured that power remained in the hands of his allies, silencing opposition and making Illinois a one-party state for much of his reign. The long-term consequences of gerrymandering have stifled competition and discouraged fresh leadership, keeping the same political class in power despite public frustration.” 

Clausen also pointed out how Madigan’s influence locally resulted in higher costs for families and businesses, contributing to the overall economic instability that has pushed many Illinois residents to leave the state.

“Locally, his influence drained resources, increased costs for families and businesses, and contributed to the overall economic instability that pushed people out of Illinois,” she said. “Communities like mine have struggled under the weight of high property taxes and burdensome regulations – all products of Madigan’s control-driven governance.” 

Clausen went on to emphasize that no politician should ever wield unchecked power. She called on Illinois voters to stay engaged and push for meaningful reforms to ensure that the government serves the people, not the political elite.

“The biggest takeaway from this moment is that no politician should wield unchecked power,” she said. “Illinois voters must stay engaged and push for meaningful reforms to ensure that our government serves the people not the political elite.”