Lake County Gazette

Illinois state Rep. Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) argues that House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) can run but he cannot hide from his involvement in the Commonwealth Edison scandal.

“Mike Madigan needs to testify under oath, and either agree that the contents of the ComEd DPA (Deferred Prosecution Agreement) are true, or he needs to challenge them,” Weber told the Lake County Gazette. 

The longtime House Speaker is now the subject of a Special House Committee probe now looking into some of his actions involving ComEd and a purported pay-for-play scheme. 

House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) | File photo

“Either way, his testimony must be done under oath so that a full record of facts can be created by the investigating committee,” Weber said. 

While the committee is still digging, the state’s longest-tenured lawmaker also finds himself at the center of an ongoing federal corruption investigation related to the matter.  

When it comes to the committee, Madigan recently let it be known he has no intention of appearing before the panel to answer questions, blasting its work as nothing more than a "political stunt." He made his feelings known in a three-page letter to committee members, where he also fiercely defended his penchant for patronage hiring by arguing he doesn’t find it to be “ethically improper.”  

Weber strongly disagrees and is calling on committee members to do everything they can to make sure the Speaker gives an accounting.

“As Public Official ‘A’ in the ComEd Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Madigan has a lot of explaining to do,” he said. “The Special Investigating Committee, organized through House Rules written by Madigan himself, provides for subpoena power, and if the Speaker won’t voluntarily step forward to testify, panel members should issue a subpoena.”