Lawmakers could take ‘master class’ on corruption with ‘ComEd 4’ closing arguments set

The Center Square ^ | 4/22/23 | Greg Bishop

[CFW]

The “ComEd Four” trial preparing for closing arguments in Chicago could provide what one state representative says is a “master class” on needed ethics reforms at the Illinois capitol.

Closing arguments are set in the trial where prosecutors allege a nearly decade long bribery scheme involving a utility and powerful statehouse actors.

Three lobbyists and a former ComEd official on trial the past six weeks all pleaded not guilty in the scheme allegedly involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan, who faces more than 20 corruption-related charges, has pleaded not guilty with a trial expected next spring.

State Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said some changes he sees arising out of the trial is closing lobbying loopholes, making better disclosure on the origins of legislation, bringing reforms to how bills move out of committees, and how witness slips are managed.

“We really got to take a master class in the manipulative practices of the leaders of this body of the past and the way that business is done here,” Spain told The Center Square.

The statehouse can’t avoid the issues revealed at trial, Spain said.

[CFW]

Corruption, Corruption! Chicago is full of crime and corruption. No wonder they are always having to raise taxes on both businesses and individuals.

[CFW]

https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_8425fd6a-e087-11ed-a6a1-3ff890372532.html

“A measure being considered by Illinois lawmakers would increase the price of Chicago Bears tickets at the teams’ proposed Arlington Heights location.

All tickets for games and other events at the proposed development would come with a $3 tax. The money would reportedly be used to help pay off debt the Park District incurred to fund the renovations made to Soldier Field two decades ago. “

[Tacrolimus1mg]

Nothing will change here. They love they status quo in Springfield, and always say one thing but do the opposite.

“I can’t do it whilly-nilly on my own” is code for, “If it doesn’t pass it’s not my fault!”

[pierrem15]

No effective reform is possible when both parties more or less act as criminal conspiracies to rob the state blind.

You'd need a RICO lawsuit to prove that the IL government and several counties are little more than criminal enterprises, get a court to lustrate all current and past office holders from both parties and carefully supervise new elections to make them free and fair.

Nothing short of a revolution such as this could fix IL government. And this will soon be the national model for governance.