Posted on 02/12/2025 3:04:52 PM PST by PBRCat
The former speaker, who held unchallenged power in the state for more than three decades, was indicted back in 2022 on federal racketeering charges, alleging that he participated in a string of bribery and influence peddling schemes.
Madigan represented the southwest side of Chicago for half a century and held a grip on power since the 1990s, using that influence to stymie governors of both parties, and he essentially dictated policies for the entire state.
He controlled the access to campaign funds and endorsements for the state’s Democrat Party and acted like a mafia boss with an absolute control of political power. Indeed, even Governors who defied him on policy were rarely able to succeed beyond his control. Meanwhile, his allies and confidants reaped the rewards, both politically and personally.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
It’s guys like this jerk that should locked up in such a manner that they never see daylight again....tyranny at the state level. No wonder Illinois is so screwed up...jackasses like this jerk.
Payback to Clinton & Co. Recall the New Hampshire primary of 1992, when Bill’s second place finish became “The Comeback Kid.” Also, an infusion of cash from Pamela Harriman about that time was also crucial.
Damn! First Sen Bob Menendez in NJ now this crook in Chicago, Illinois. Something is happening!
Don’t think for one second that Rod Blagojevich did not assist in this in exchange for his pardon.
Michael J. Madigan was also the former Illinois Democratic State Party Chairman. His committees controlled the party finances and distributed cash to candidates. His minions redistricted the state to minimize the ILGOP to next to nothing in the state legislature and the Congress.
I know, I used to live there and still have friends there.
What did he do by 2022 to cause Merrick Garland to pursue him?
Good point. Had not thought about that. Blago was in the news yesterday — Trump pardon?
I suspect that you could put virtually every long term incumbent politician in any of the 10 most populated states in prison for corruption if the whole truth were really known.
I suspect that you could put virtually every long term incumbent politician in any of the 10 most populated states in prison for corruption if the whole truth were really known.
The conviction tells part of the story, but why did they really go after him? I think it is likely he got in the way of progressive agenda and the left decided to take him out. After 50+ years in politics he filled quite a few closets with skeletons..
Actually, Madigan retired from his elected positions before he was put on trial. A new generation of Democrats were opposed to his totalitarian control. Billionaire Pritzker was not beholden to him.
A Chicago alderman was under investigation for corruption and he cut a deal to tape Madigan.
That wouldn’t surprise me at all.
What? Another dimocrat going down in flames for corruption? Can’t be...
I hope this means we get our country back for good.
Their needs to be a special category of crime with severe punishments. When government officials and elected candidates swindle the taxpayer for personal benefit and power utilizing tax money. This is much worse than ordinary swindling. The taxpayer has no choice in investing in the government that swindled him. The government comes and takes your money under threat of imprisonment or confiscation.
I would suggest the penalty be 3 times the ordinary sentence or fine if done by the government and the judge have no discretion on the sentence or fine. I would suggest that all of them right down to the dogcatcher running for office must reveal their income and sources in total and that their accountants release all that information to the public upon request, financial information the day they announce they are running for election.
For me that would be simple as I am not a thief or criminal. I would simply give any who wanted to know my accountants name, and give him permission to reveal anything on me relative to income and taxes and they would be required to pay the accountant a normal fee for his time assembling the information.
PS For most of my adult life I did not use an accountant as my tax returns were rather simple. When my wife and I started a business in antiques and bought a store the tax filing became complex and I did not know if I was doing it right or wrong. What I pay that accountant is a bargain compared to the pain of doing it myself.
That, and the disclosure that an up-and-coming Republican named Jack Ryan had taken his celeb hotwife Jeri to sex clubs, changed the course of history - and not in a good way.
It’s hard to overestimate how stunning the Madigan conviction is. His power was nearly absolute in Illinois, on par with Pelosi in the US House - what he wanted he got and anything he opposed died in committee. I’m glad he is disgraced and hope he dies in prison.
Thanks for the update. I live downstate so I miss out on many of the Chicago area politics going and comings...
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