Madigan Trial Enters Third Month
SPRINGFIELD – The corruption trial against former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has entered its third month at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago.
Over the last eight weeks, federal prosecutors have called several key witnesses to build their case that the political leader engaged in racketeering and bribery conspiracy. Witnesses have included local, state, and federal elected officials, alongside family members and business leaders.
Most recently, the highly anticipated witness former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis wrapped up his testimony after 21 hours on the stand over the course of six days. While serving as Chairman of the City of Chicago’s Zoning Committee, Solis secretly recorded multiple conversations with Madigan, in which he sought to recruit business for Madigan’s law firm.
Madigan was indicted in March 2022 on 23 counts of racketeering, bribery, and official misconduct. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a years-long bribery scheme with the state’s largest utility, Commonwealth Edison. He served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021, holding the role of Speaker for all but two years.
State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) says Senate Republicans have introduced several key pieces of legislation calling for sweeping ethics reforms to prevent future abuses of power. The Madigan trial is expected to continue into the new year.
New State Flag Process
Illinois is seeking input from the public about redesigning the Illinois state flag.
The Illinois Flag Commission has selected its top 10 finalists out of nearly 5,000 submissions for the state flag redesign contest. In January, the public will be able to vote for one of the new designs, or former flag designs. The Commission will report the result of the decision vote by April 1, and lawmakers will then vote on adopting a new Illinois flag, returning to a previous version of the state flag or retaining the current state flag.
The 10 designs can be viewed at the ilsos.gov website.
The original flag was designed by Lucy Derwent, a Rockford-native, in 1915. That design has only changed slightly in the subsequent years, such as adding the word “Illinois” below the seal in 1969.
With the release of the new flag designs, Senator Syverson says he did not support the legislation behind the effort to change the state flag.
“Unfortunately, many lawmakers have already wasted too much time and money with this issue by setting up and operating this whole new Flag Commission. If we were to change the state flag, the burden to replace the state flags in every office and school across Illinois would fall on the backs of Illinois taxpayers,” Senator Syverson said. “I hope citizens will join me in opposing this waste of tax dollars by voting to keep our state flag the way it is.”
Biden Pardon of Rita Crundwell A Slap in Taxpayers’ Face
A former City Comptroller of Dixon, who stole more than $50 million from the city, had her 19-year prison sentence commuted Dec. 12 by President Joe Biden.
Rita Crundwell was convicted in 2013 for embezzling $54 million to finance her lavish lifestyle. It was believed to be the largest municipal fraud in United States history.
“This is a slap in the face of every taxpayer in Dixon – and all the taxpayers in Illinois – who had to pay the price of what she did,” Senator Syverson said, “My fear is that the President is not done with his sentence commutations or pardons.”