Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita told jurors in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial Monday that former House Speaker Michael Madigan for years had “total control” of the state general assembly and ruled his fellow Democrats “through fear and intimidation.”
The four defendants charged in the ComEd bribery scheme are, from left, consultant Jay Doherty, lobbyist and former ComEd executive John Hooker, retired lobbyist Michael McClain and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore.
Rita said Madigan valued “loyalty to himself, to the caucus, to the party” above all else. He said he counted himself as among Madigan’s loyal supporters in the 18 years they served in the House together. The defendants’ attorneys contend that the so-called scheme was nothing more than legal lobbying, part of the state’s high-stakes, often-messy politics where myriad interest groups and stakeholders compete for access to lawmakers.Madigan and McClain, meanwhile, are facing separate racketeering charges alleging an array of corrupt schemes, including the bribery plot by ComEd.
Madigan complained about a political ad critical of him and tied to Senate Democrats that Cullerton led in 2018, saying that the attacks should be aimed at President Donald Trump and other Republicans rather than the speaker, who doubled as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Political rift between Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton gets public airing at ‘ComEd Four’ trialFormer Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s name surfaced in the “ComEd Four” trial Monday over a political dispute with former House Speaker Michael Madigan as the longtime allies both served in the Illinois General Assembly.
Read more »
‘I wouldn’t do anything to damage my speaker’: Recordings in ComEd Four case show Madigan playing political hardball as trial pivots to week twoThe tapes have built a foundation on which prosecutors hope to show that when Madigan gave orders, legislators, lobbyists and executives alike snapped into action to please him.
Read more »
2 killed, 2 injured in fiery 3-vehicle crash in Will County, Illinois State Police sayTwo people were killed in a Will County crash on Wilmington Road at U.S. Route 45, Illinois State Police said.
Read more »
Illinois state lawmaker's bill aims to expand electric car charging in homesThe Electric Vehicle Charging Act is meant to provide relief and calls for various mandates in the state.
Read more »
BizWeek: A Portillo's with no dining room; Moody's gives Illinois an AThe Week in Business: Portillo's building dining room-less restaurant in Rosemont; Moody's raises Illinois' bond rating to A3.
Read more »
Naperville named one of the 8 most beautiful cities in Illinois by WorldAtlasNaperville named among 8 most beautiful cities in Illinois by WorldAtlas.
Read more »