Chicago City Wire

Nick Klitzing is calling on the courts to remove any bias from the forthcoming prosecution of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.  

“Former House Speaker Mike Madigan was indicted today,” Kltzing said in a statement.

“For decades, Mike Madigan and his cronies have used Illinois taxpayers' money to run a massive racketeering operation and today we took the first step towards justice. But, at every step of the way, the judicial system has protected Mike Madigan. We cannot afford for partisan judges to protect him once again.”      

“This is exactly why we founded Judicial Fairness Project – to serve as a government watchdog, to expose corruption and to ensure that all Illinoisans have a fair and accountable judicial system.”  

Klitzing was instrumental in unraveling Madigan’s and Democrat control when he ran a successful campaign to not retain Madigan-aligned Justice Thomas Kilbride. Kilbride is the only Supreme Court justice to not be retained by Illinois voters. The move came after he authored an opinion overturning a referendum by Illinois voters that would have allowed for bipartisan redistricting efforts.

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," U.S. Attorney Lausch, who filed the indictment, said. "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.