Chicago City Wire

Indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is getting help in his defense on 22 charges of public corruption after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled he can use campaign funds for his defense. 

“Michael Madigan can defend himself in court with the help of J.B. Pritzker. Who has donated the most money to Michael Madigan? Well, it's Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker,” WLS-AM 890 posted on Facebook. 

Madigan’s war chest has been a big beneficiary of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The billionaire Pritzker donated $10.17 million in 2018 which is just about the amount his campaign coffers hold now, according to Patch.

The governor was referred to in Madigan's indictment as the "future governor." Pritzker appears to have taken orders from Madigan regarding politically connected job-seekers, including former Chicago alderman Danny Solis who sought a six-figure state appointment. Pritzker has denied those accusations. A spokesman said that the governor does not remember the former speaker "ever asking him to consider Danny Solis for any position." 

"WBEZ compared the clout lists from Madigan to the state government’s payroll and to Pritzker’s appointments to state boards and commissions. The investigation found that at least 35 people who enjoyed Madigan’s blessing were put into prime spots in state government," WBEZ reported.

The former speaker pleaded not guilty to the 22 counts of bribery, extortion and racketeering. Federal prosecutors say part of his strategy to gain power was to provide jobs for the politically connected. Illinois Policy reported that Madigan associate Michael McClain was a key figure in this scheme.

"The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful gain, including no-show or low-show jobs for Madigan's political workers and private gain for Madigan himself," U.S. Attorney John Lausch said at a news conference in the wake of the indictment. "The schemes describe involvement of a leader of state government, one of his close confidantes, top management of a large public utility, consultants and others."

Copies of emails show McClain lobbying Pritzker for placement of an associate on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the successful placement of a candidate on the Prison Review Board. 

In one email, McClain apologized to Pritzker for the debacle at the governor’s Gold Coast mansion.  In that separate scandal, Pritzker, seeking to evade taxes, moved to have five toilets removed from his home to drop its value from $6.25 million to $1.1. million. Pritzker is worth $3.6 billion. 

Madigan has denied the charges, stating he "was never involved in any criminal activity. The government is attempting to criminalize a routine constituent service: job recommendations. That is not illegal."