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* Gov. Pritzker was on Mike Flannery’s show the other day…
Pritzker: I think one of the biggest changes has been that we’ve seen, I think, a diminution of the belief on peoples’ part as they’re entering politics today, that corruption is okay, that somehow that you can, you know, make a little money on the side…
Flannery: So, putting it positively, I think there are fewer people going into politics to just get the money.
Pritzker: I think that’s true…
Flannery: And I agree with that.
Pritzker: And the reason I say that is because more prosecutions have taken place. So, people are starting to see that this is not a profitable endeavor. You’re going to end up in prison
Flannery: If you want to steal go someplace else.
Pritzker: That’s right.
From my own experience, I think what we’ve seen is fewer longtime political types running or being appointed to the General Assembly, and lots more people running because they view it as a calling or because they’ve grown weary of the corruption. That’s not universal, however. Not by a long shot.
Even so, it’s not an easy argument to make to the general public in the midst of a string of high-profile corruption trials.
Anyway, your thoughts on this?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:33 am
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The focus of federal prosecutors on state politics has changed the political landscape of Illinois, from Madigan on down. I truly think we’ve reached a turning point, especially with more progressive organizations having a louder voice.
I hope that the feds can shift their focus on local government corruption, especially in the south suburbs of Cook County. The mini-fiefdoms are hurting thousands of residents by neglecting core services and scaring away businesses seeking to move to Chicagoland.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:40 am
I think both can be true at the same time. More prosecutions has led to the “old guard” longtime political types moving out of the way and the replacements realize that it is no longer “business as usual”.
Comment by Sox Fan Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:43 am
=== I hope that the feds can shift their focus on local government corruption, especially in the south suburbs of Cook County. The mini-fiefdoms are hurting thousands of residents by neglecting core services and scaring away businesses seeking to move to Chicagoland. ===
Agree with this. Just look at what is happening out in Thornton Township in Cook County. Much of the corruption is actually at the local level - people just don’t know about it (except for Thornton, which more and more people seem to know about).
Comment by Hannibal Lecter Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:44 am
I think, a diminution of the belief on peoples’ part as they’re entering politics today, that corruption is okay… fewer longtime political types running or being appointed to the General Assembly, and lots more people running because they view it as a calling
A roundabout way of saying…, because of Madigan (or guys like Madigan).
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:46 am
There is still a lot of malfeasance. If malfeasance exists because of someone’s arrogance, is that better than for someone’s corrupt benefit? It is a question for philosophers really.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:49 am
I think prosecutions really do dissuade possible corruption, especially if those prosecutions are swift and certain. DoJ has gotten the “certain” part down, but they really need to move faster.
What’s happening in Dolton/Thornton Township is a good example. It’s basically an observable ongoing crime spree but who knows when the Feds will get around to stopping it.
Comment by vern Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:52 am
It’s true.
The worst corruption is in places where nobody is being arrested.
All it takes is a corrupt county SA to be involved in corruption with other offices, and poof there’s nobody to press charges. That doesn’t mean there’s no corruption.
It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s certainly a red flag to start looking harder.
It took the feds to step in and convict and sentence a local official in will county. The county SA had previously openly stated he would ‘leave it up to the voters’ when the accusations of corrupt behavior started to increase.
4 years later One is in federal prison right now. The other is still the SA.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:57 am
Rich is closer to the ground.
We can still do better, but it seems a bit fewer people have the “what’s in it for me” approach than 10 years ago. Thy never were an overwhelming majority IMO, but better is better.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:03 pm
I’d say it has some truth to it.
But it also is the sort of thing that we’ll only be able to truly say 10 or 20 years down the line.
Comment by Nick Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:04 pm
I know this is not a popular opinion but it is my assessment of this, and America in general. As the most corrupt generation ever ages, baby boomers, we will see less corruption in many aspects of our lives, especially politics.
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:11 pm
Agree it’s a combination of old school pols dying off, and their ways with them, and the newer people coming in, aware that the old ways don’t fly any more.
But that attitude only now is coming into the fore, because of those high-end prosecutions, like George Ryan, and now Madigan. Paving the way for a newer mindset.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:17 pm
Anecdotally Pritzker may be correct. But ultimately time will tell. I do believe that the days of intertwining business interests with politics seem to be diminishing. And perhaps that’s due to fewer politicians making it a lifetime career particularly when lobbying and consulting can be such lucrative second careers.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:22 pm
People are getting caught and getting convicted. That is hopefully sending a message.
Comment by Michelle Flahery Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:35 pm
A lot more people are running because it’s a good gig. Districts are gerrymandered so if you win nice, you’re safe forever. It’s good money and you still keep your day job. And there’s a pension at the back end.
It’s a different kind of corruption. They get their money and follow what the leadership tells them to do. The reverse of quiet quitting. It’s quiet serving.
Comment by Save Ferris Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:40 pm
Chicago politics used to be based, in part, on an understanding between political leaders and the Outfit. Many ward leaders/aldermen were on the payroll; a few were Outfit members. Many judges and police were part of that world.
After Operations Greylord and Gambat and the Family Secrets trial, the mob had less influence on Chicago politicians. The Hired Truck investigation also weakened the power of the old school pols. The Burke and Madigan prosecutions also will further weaken them.
Chicago is a much less insular community now. People don’t identify as strongly with their neighborhood or their ward. Loyalty to political leaders ain’t what it used to be.
There are still too many pols who are in it for the money. There will be more corruption prosecutions. But the underlying culture has changed.
Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:56 pm
easier and safer to get rich on legal graft, multiple pensions etc.
but the crooks are still there.
Comment by jim Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:59 pm
Illinois has come a long way. Decades ago an Illinois Governor was given, by the sitting President, naming authority / veto power over federal prosecutors in Illinois.
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:59 pm
I just looked up what’s going on in Dolton, and holy cow…is anyone investigating this? Also a good example of the overgovernmented nature of much of Illinois…overlapping city and township governments, superfluous one-school school districts, all opportunities for those who want to look like a public servant while being on the take. Disgusting.
Comment by Scott Edgewater Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 1:08 pm
I agree with Pritzker. Keep hammering on the corrupt elected officials. It is embarrassing how long the “oh that’s just how politics works” has allowed corruption to exist in both state and local politics for so long. People got jaded.
Keep prosecuting.
Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 1:10 pm
The sword of swift justice is righteously fearsome.
Comment by Dotnonymous XL Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 1:13 pm
From George Ryan through Rod Blagojevich to Mike Madigan the consistent defense has been that they engaged in nothing more than time honored political horse trading. And in each instance (we’ll see with Madigan) juries have found this to be corruption. I would hope that if nothing else it tells current and future politicians that the public has no appetite for this behavior and if charged you’ll likely meet the same fate as those that came before you.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 3:14 pm
As a cynic, I think there are just as many as before.
The current climate of prosecutions has simply driven them underground and taught them how to hide better.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 3:28 pm
or, we are missing things because it is hard to track so many units of government? NW burbs are a feast of crazy since 2017. a township supervisor hired outside of authority, and it was a former campaign official, FOIA violations, accusations of physical sexual harassment, crazy library board actions/inactions. there’s lots out there. we may not hear about it all and prosecutors can’t keep track. Edgar County guys surprisingly got the Maine Township details. It’s like picking up rocks and finding slugs. still there.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 4:45 pm