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* Media advisory…
Illinois House Republicans Call for Special Session on Ethics Reform
WHO: Illinois State Representatives Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), Ryan Spain (R-Peoria), Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) and Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville).
WHAT: House Republicans call on Governor Pritzker to convene special session on ethics reform.
WHEN: 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, July 21, 2020
* Press release…
State Representatives David Allen Welter (R-Morris) and Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) are calling for a joint hearing of the House Public Utilities and Energy & Environment Committees to investigate the lobbying and bribery practices of ComEd during the period of 2011-2019 to determine the impact on ratepayers both residential and commercial in terms of higher costs passed on to them as a result.
The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois filed charges against Commonwealth Edison on July 17 that detailed corruption related to the company’s efforts to influence and reward “Public Official A”, believed to be House Speaker Michael Madigan, in order to receive passage of legislation favorable to the utility.
“While the U.S. Attorney’s Office investigated criminal activity during the time period in question related to ComEd’s efforts to influence “Public Official A” in order to get legislation they wanted passed, the issue of what impact those activities had on ratepayers and state policy needs to be fully investigated and made public,” Rep. Keith Wheeler said.
Rep. David Welter added, “ComEd employs nearly 6,300 hardworking and dedicated professionals throughout Chicago and northern Illinois who are ratepayers too. They and every ComEd customer in Illinois deserve accountability in the form of answers as to what cost the bribery allegations specified by the U.S. Attorney’s Office had on ratepayers. If you paid more for electricity because of corruption, you deserve to know all the facts about it.”
Wheeler and Welter sent a joint letter to Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago), Chairperson of the Energy & Environment Committee and Representative Larry Walsh, Jr. (D-Joliet), Chairperson of the Public Utilities Committee requesting that the two committees hold a joint hearing to investigate the impact on ratepayers of ComEd’s activities during the period outlined in the U.S. Attorney’s court filing on Friday.
* Meanwhile, on the other side of the building, the Senate Republican Caucus issued this statement today…
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan exerts absolute control over what issues get a hearing and which get a vote in the Illinois House. As the US Attorney announced last week, that process allegedly comes with a price.
Illinois Democrats, who control both chambers of the Illinois legislature, should embrace reforms that will ensure all the power of legislating is not consolidated into the hands of one allegedly corrupt process. This can be done by improving transparency and enacting a fair redistricting process.
What is abundantly clear to our caucus and every concerned citizen in Illinois is the fact that Michael Madigan can no longer serve as Speaker of the Illinois House, and he should step aside from this leadership position immediately.
…Adding… Center Square…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday he has no plans to call a special session of the legislature to take up ethics reform.
During an appearance in Peoria on Monday, Pritzker would not commit to calling a special session to take up the issue even though earlier in the day he said lobbying reform was needed.
“I am hoping that in November that we will be able to take up again the work by the ethics commission that was put together in the General Assembly, a bi-partisan commission that was doing quite good work before they were cut short by COVID-19,” the governor said.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 9:50 am
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Dear House and Senate Raunerites;
Once Madigan is gone, you will lose your talking point, your only talking point, the $100 million plus “make us your super minority party” strategy.
You’d think slow rolling this by putting pressure, not on Madigan, but Dems, in inquisitive ways, would make better sense… since so many Raunerites also embrace Trump and the ILGOP has embraced Trump with both hands.
Once a Madigan decision is “made”… be ready for…
“Why are you supporting Trump if you’re pushing Madigan out?”
Ignoring that “Fire Madigan” is not only baked but overcooked, which voters are left that haven’t factored in Madigan and will decide to back candidates for the “Cult of Trump”?
Oh, and don’t decide to tell me…
“This isn’t political, it’s about corruption and governing” when the standard-bearer of your ticket reeks of corruptible governing and making monies off his office.
Slow playing makes most sense, it inoculates you all from Trump, and “Fire Madigan” isn’t going to save y’all, if anything “Fire Madigan” is so tired it’s ignored.
Good luck.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 10:03 am
And people in a certain very warm place want a glass of ice water.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 10:04 am
What no Batnick?????
Do they want a committee hearing on special session? Lots of mixed messages from GOPies
And Senate GOPie Rapid Response team earns praise too. Five days
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 10:06 am
Agree that calling for a special session for just a committee meeting is silly.
Comment by Pius Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 10:13 am
Timing is everything.
https://news.yahoo.com/ohio-house-speaker-larry-householder-141759413.html
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 10:20 am
In all the articles I have read I have not seen any mention of a law broken, and this is a serious question, what specific law is Madigan accused of breaking?
Comment by No One Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 10:41 am
Not the same without Batty drooling on his desk. Can we do a committee on the GovJunk coverup at the vets home?
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:06 am
Democrats absolutely should hold Madigan accountable. It’s long overdue. But this is laughable coming from the Republican Party — their dear leader Trump has so little regard for ethics and accountability that he’ll just pardon Madigan anyway. Remember how the Republicans defended our most recent criminal governor?
Comment by Ravenswood Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:10 am
===is Madigan accused of===
He hasn’t been accused of a thing yet.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:14 am
I think the HGOPers want a Special Hearing for Joint Ethical Session Reform.
Comment by Nagidam Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:15 am
Jim Dey nailed it today. Public Official A is all bad. MJM’s own words once upon a time.
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/jim-dey-prescient-madigan-says-being-public-official-a-all-bad/article_5ef949d1-6cd1-5fe2-a029-94dfe71aca70.html
Comment by radio flyer Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:16 am
Also enjoyed this part of today’s release from the IL Republican Party:
“For Pritzker, it seems, everyone is to blame except Mike Madigan. The most urgent ethics reform Pritzker seems unable to support is Mike Madigan’s resignation.”
Comment by radio flyer Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:18 am
“House Republicans want attention, Senate Republicans demand attention”
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:20 am
- radio flyer -
The “Fire Madigan” trope is already baked, overcooked actually.
If it makes you feel good, “ok”, but it’s not moving anything, and the same voters these Raunerites need to be “dismayed” about Madigan… these same voters need to ignore Trump and things like Trump commuting Blagojevich’s sentence.
Enjoy the red meat. “Tasty”
After $100 million, the “Fire Madigan” silly made Madigan the most strong he’s ever been…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:23 am
@OW - Disagree that attacking Madigan is a bad campaign strategy. Just because Rauner was associated with the strategy doesn’t mean it’s a bad strategy.
Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:40 am
- Chicagonk -
With respect,
“Fire Madigan” goes back to…
Daniels, Cross, now Durkin.
What “new” voters are they trying to get that aren’t already theirs?
Oh, then bake in Trump in this cycle too.
Respectfully
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:44 am
Willy, I understand that the CapFax world is a bubble. But outside the bubble, a credible federal investigation changes everything. Homes being raided by the FBI changes everything. Public Official A changes everything.
And it’s not about Madigan. Madigan is done, that’s just a matter of when. It’s about JB.
Comment by radio flyer Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:46 am
=== I understand that the CapFax world is a bubble. But outside the bubble===
… Mike Madigan and Dems are at their zenith in seats in BOTH chambers, hold both US Senate seats, all the statewide constitutional offices, and after $100 million, the sitting Raunerite in the governor’s chair lost by the largest margin an incumbent Republican had… in 100 years.
Keep up… please.
=== It’s about JB.===
He’s polling well, handing the Coronavirus well will do that.
Still can’t point to new voters this will sway, can’t ya?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:51 am
=== It’s about JB.===
Narrator: The Governor isn’t on the ballot.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 11:53 am
===Narrator: The Governor isn’t on the ballot.===
You are playing checkers. The Feds are playing chess. If Public Official A starts in July 2020, when does the knock at the door most likely occur? Probably at the worst possible time for JB Pritzker. Think it through, then place your bet.
Comment by radio flyer Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 12:00 pm
=== The Feds are playing chess===
The politics of the “Fire Madigan” strategy is now part of the USA and how they are going about their business?
I’ll grant you, it’s noon… but still too early to start drinking, LOL
=== Probably at the worst possible time for JB Pritzker. Think it through, then place your bet.===
Political thinking by the USA has always been, “traditionally” away from election calendars
You either know that and think ignoring that is smart and willing… or you don’t… which makes your whole ignorance just a fun folly of trolling… like a John Kass column.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 12:04 pm
Special session on corruption- all GOP rather silent on George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and social justice reform.
I guess not their gig.
Also Madigan is not on any suburban ballots but Trump is right at the top. Who do you think the suburban moms will see in their face on election day? Madigan or Trump?
Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 12:05 pm
Hey why did they put the gagger on Rep. Spain? He could have brightened up the scene.
BTW did the Zock get the phone tap issue cleared up from her COD rampage with BFF KH?
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 12:08 pm
Dear GOP:
Please stop posturing and always telling us what you’re against. Instead, tell us what you’re for, what initiatives you’ll undertake to make life in Illinois (and the country) better for everyone, not a select few. Don’t prattle about what you stand for, most especially not about ethics in government since your knee jerk support of the current national administration has shredded your credibility on the subject. We’re interested in doing, not rhetoric.
Perhaps start with racial injustice, educational inequities, and of course managing the pandemic with its human and economic costs. What are your strategies, goals, methods, benchmarks, and timelines?
This is new for you, so take a little time to get it right. But not too long, or the moment will once again zip right past you.
Posting for some voters . . . .
Comment by Flapdoodle Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 12:56 pm
Flapdoodle,
Well said. If the GOP would do that, I’d give them another look. May also recapture my friend Steve Andersson’s energy and effort.
Comment by Proud Sucker Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 1:06 pm
The letters and demands are totally expected and standard practice anymore. But, again, the ILGOP does not own the moral or ethical high ground here. They haven’t done much in the past when it is their own party member that is a bad actor.
=a credible federal investigation changes everything. Homes being raided by the FBI changes everything. Public Official A changes everything.=
Hmm…how did that work out for Aaron Shock?
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 1:45 pm
===Hmm…how did that work out for Aaron Shock?===
He resigned. Well done.
Comment by radio flyer Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 2:02 pm
Legally speaking, Madigan has not been accused of anything. Anyone can be investigated for anything, and even an arrest is not an admission of guilt. I see that Patrick Windhorst is not on this press release, as a former prosecutor maybe he realizes the legal issues here?
Grant Wehrli had an article in Center Square earlier this year about expanding the authority of the Illinois AG to investigate corruption. When Kwame Raoul was chairman of senate judiciary, he sponsored the Body Cam bill in 2015, which is a joke. Raoul bargained with the police unions so that there are no criminal charges for police who delete footage/ destroy evidence.
Body cams are not mandatory in Illinois. Colorado passed a bill making body cams mandatory by 2023. If these “law and order” Repubs want to get real about corruption, sponsor a bill instead of talking.
Comment by Payback Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 3:35 pm