Chicago City Wire

The Illinois Republican Party has written an open letter to the Chicago press corps regarding House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

A week after being informed by the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois that Madigan was "Public Official A" in the federal investigation involving corruption and bribery with ComEd, he and Pritzker are being held to a different standard than former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was questioned relentlessly in his own investigation, the letter notes.

"More than a decade ago, when we learned that Rod Blagojevich was 'Public Official A,' the Chicago press corps was relentless," the letter states. "Former Gov. Blagojevich could barely get through a press conference without being asked about the federal investigation. When investigative reporters broke new details, reporters on the governor’s daily beat hammered him with questions."

The GOP noted one particular incident when a mob of reporters chased Blagojevich down the street asking him questions. The Republicans noted that although it understands that Madigan doesn't hold news conferences, Pritzker absolutely does and his are almost daily.

Pritzker is Madigan's political ally and he has invested millions into Madigan-controlled campaign funds, the news release states. It adds that Pritzker has appointed many people to his administration at Madigan's request and that the governor is the highest-ranking Democrat in the party — of which Madigan is the chair.

"He negotiates with Madigan for the passage of legislation and for how to spend taxpayer funds," the GOP letter states. "He has called on others to resign at the same stage of an investigation that Madigan now faces. He has a constitutional duty to protect the people of Illinois from corruption."

The Republicans say that throughout the investigation, it has learned more information regarding a federal investigation into property tax fraud, but that during Pritzker's news conferences, Chicago reporters aren't asking questions and are allowing Pritzker to change the subject.

"Other people might plead guilty but they don’t have evidence on him," the letter states. "Why ask questions about this if it costs us our access? It’s time to wake up and smell the federal investigation. Madigan is now Public Official A. People are talking. The net is widening. The people of Illinois need a press corps that will hold their leaders accountable."