Lake County Gazette

Republican House candidate Chris Bos doesn’t know what frustrates him more about longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan now being at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe.

“I don’t know if it’s that someone with that much power could allegedly be so corrupt or that this system of corruption and scheming has been going on for decades and we’re just now trying to do something about,” Bos told the Lake County Gazette. “I just hope this is a catalyst for change and a push to move Madigan out as the greatest hindrance to the state moving forward.”

Madigan, who easily reigns as the longest-tenured lawmaker in the state, now finds himself at the center of a still-evolving probe into ComEd, in which prosecutors are on record in asserting that the company engaged in a “years-long bribery scheme” involving jobs, contracts and payments that were steered to him in his role as house speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

While stopping short of formally levying any charges, prosecutors contend Commonwealth Edison attempted to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

“I would hope that he would resign, but I know that’s unlikely, which is why this investigation has to continue,” added Bos, now running against incumbent state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) in the 51st District. “I think there’s already enough evidence linking him to wrongdoing, but I know all those in Springfield that have benefited financially from him in their campaigns will now cower and hide.”

In publicly announcing the case against ComEd public, U.S. Attorney John Lausch noted the investigation is ongoing. The Chicago Tribune reports federal investigators have moved to subpoena Madigan for information, including “possible job recommendations.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Madigan said he plans to cooperate with the probe, adding “The speaker has never helped someone find a job with the expectation that the person would not be asked to perform work by their employer, nor did he ever expect to provide anything to a prospective employer if it should choose to hire a person he recommended.”

Bos argues it’s the everyday people of the state who suffer the most from all the corruption.

“It’s disgusting that such a great state is dragged down through this continued cycle and system of corruption,” he said. “It gives the appearance that the only way to get ahead in Illinois is to be corrupt.”