(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Reaction was along partisan lines Wednesday after the federal indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat who effectively ruled Springfield for decades.
The top Republican in the Illinois House, Minority Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs waved the 106-page, 22-count indictment at a news conference at the Capitol. He said Madigan’s successor, Speaker Chris Welch, and other members of the opposing party tolerated corruption.
“Speaker Welch, Mike Madigan’s hand-picked successor, and all of the House Democrats gladly drank from the Madigan trough over the many decades and even up to last November’s election,” Durkin said.
Another Republican, State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst, said Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker should address his name-check in the indictment. Madigan talked to the then-governor-elect about juicy board and commission spots for cronies, prosecutors said.
U.S. Attorney John Lausch at a Chicago news conference said there are no allegations of wrongdoing against Pritzker or anyone on his staff.
In a statement, the governor said Madigan should be accountable but did not address the material in the indictment.
Meantime, several House Democrats took credit for effectively ousting Madigan, who opted not to run for speaker again as his support eroded.
“I’m standing here because people stood on courage,” Welch, of Hillside said.
He ignored a reporter’s question about whether he regrets his longtime support of Madigan.
Welch chaired a special investigative committee examining Madigan, issuing no findings and not hearing from Madigan.
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