Chicago City Wire

Businessman and activist Jeffrey Carter is bemoaning the fact that is took over four decades before former Illinois house speaker Michal Madigan was indicted.

“It’s 40 years too late," Carter told Chicago City Wire. "The entire Democratic Party in Illinois took marching orders from him, including the current sitting governor. They didn’t lift a finger to do anything. Don’t you think there are more corrupt Democratic politicians than just Madigan? Why isn’t the media calling out the entirety of the Democratic Party in Illinois?”

Carter is a trader with West Loop Ventures who focuses on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  

“I’d like to see more indictments of Democratic elected officials come down," Carter said. "No one should be safe. I would also like to see Madigan bankrupted and spend the rest of his days in a federal lock-up. He and the Democratic Machine he controlled damaged the state of Illinois for generations and by proxy the United States since Illinois is a vital economic engine for the country."

In a series of papers and documents revealed as part of the investigation, Madigan was known as "official A." He and former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist and Quincy native Michael McClain have been accused of running a racketeering ring involved in a $150 million bribery scandal.

In a statement announcing the indictment, the Department of Justice noted Madigan was indicted on "racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates."

"Corruption by an elected official and his associates undermines the public’s confidence in our government," said U.S. Attorney Lausch, who filed the indictment. "The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful private gain. Rooting out and prosecuting the kind of corruption alleged in the indictment will always be a top priority for this office."

Madigan, 79, held power for 36 years as House speaker. He resigned on Feb. 18, 2021, months after his and McClain’s operation was discovered to have funneled $150 million in bribes through ComEd. ComEd was investigated under the federal racketeering RICO law until it signed a plea worth $200 million.

Madigan has continued as a senior partner with Madigan and Getzendanner, a law firm specializing in property tax adjustments. For years, Madigan was also criticized for his role in that firm for its close ties to other prominent Democrats, including former Cook County Assessor and Cook County Democratic Party Chair Joe Berrios.