Chicago City Wire

Republican activist David Krupa fumes that Democrats’ lackluster reaction to the scandal House Speaker Mike Madigan now finds himself at the center of as an indictment of the entire party.

“Silence in this case is approval,” Krupa told Chicago City Wire. “How can you claim to be putting the needs of the people first when you overlook all this corruption?”

After nearly four decades of being in control in Springfield, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd. Federal prosecutors contend 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.

To date, no charges have been filed against the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, but prosecutors have not been shy in asserting that the utility giant sought to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

“I think Democrats have been as quiet as they have been because the corruption benefits them and after all this time going after your boss is a hard thing for them to do,” added Krupa, whose run against Madigan-backed Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn in 2019 led to him ultimately suing both men for election fraud. “They’ve been taking the easy route and aren’t looking to change."

 Krupa argues if things were working as they should be in Springfield, Democrats would be leading the charge in calling for Madigan’s ouster.

“His actions clearly call for it and it goes beyond what we’re hearing now,” he said.

But even as the controversy swells, Krupa said he doesn’t expect to see Madigan change his approach.

“I think it’s going to take federal intervention to remove him from office because he will never resign,” he said. “I think it’s important that responsible lawmakers call for it, but I think it’s going to actually take the feds to get him out of power.”