FEC Records: After brokering favor with Madigan, Chicago mayoral hopeful Garcia got Comed cash

By LGIS News Service

Feb 13, 2023

Chicago mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia spent more than three decades in Illinois politics before Commonwealth Edison took a passing interest in one of his campaigns.

But, since Oct. 2018, the state's largest utility has since been one of Garcia's most reliable backers, donating eight times to the Democrat congressman for a total of $13,500, according to a Chicago City Wire analysis of Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

The timing and rationale for Comed's sudden support of Garcia are among the topics to be examined next month in a U.S. District Court, where federal prosecutors will try four people accused of attempting to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).

Juan Ochoa is a Garcia ally. | NFLCCA

One of them, downstate lobbyist Michael McClain, is alleged by prosecutors to have worked with Madigan in 2017-18 on a scheme to place a longtime Garcia ally, Juan Ochoa, in an $80,000-per year position on the Comed Board of Directors.

A Jan. court filing by prosecutors cites an unidentified "member of Congress" who allegedly lobbied Madigan on behalf of Ochoa, a cooperating witness in the probe who once served as CEO of McPier and ran unsuccessfully for 22nd Ward alderman and mayor of the Town of Cicero.

The Chicago Tribune reported the unnamed individual was Garcia, who replaced longtime U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Chicago) in Congress in Jan. 2019.

Garcia was also mentioned in federal wiretaps recording Madigan's conversations with McClain.

"Okay, so you see there's a request from Ochoa, and Ochoa being Ochoa, the message reads, 'Ochoa and Congressman Garcia.' So I called Chuy, and Chuy really didn't know anything about it," reported the Chicago Sun-Times.

Comed ultimately appointed Ochoa to its board in April 2019, and he officially resigned a year later, in April 2020, three months before the company announced it would pay $200 million and admit it tried to bribe Madigan, including "(arranging) for jobs..for (Madigan's) political allies and workers" with Comed.

"She is desperate"

After a mayoral candidate forum at Rainbow Push on Saturday, Garcia tried to avoid a reporter who asked him about the Comed donations, $10,500 of which were made during Ochoa's tenure on its board, He was also confronted on the topic by rival candidates, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

“I have nothing to do with ComEd or anyone seeking a position on the ComEd board,” García said. “I’ve been a critic of that utility and other utilities across Illinois. She is desperate. She is fabricating and trying to spin things that do not exist.”

Garcia, 66, has served in the Chicago City Council (1986-92), the Illinois State Senate (1992-98), on the Cook County Board (2010-18) and, currently, in U.S. Congress (2019-present). He ran for Chicago mayor in 2015, but lost a run-off against then-incumbent Rahm Emanuel.

The Madigan bribery trial of McClain and three other defendants-- ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former City Club President Jay Doherty-- begins March 6.

The first round of Chicago's 2023 mayoral voting is on Feb. 28.

----

Follow the Money?

Mayoral candidate, U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-Chicago) is alleged to have played a role in a scheme to get supporter Juan Ochoa appointed to the Comed Board of Directors.

July 27, 2018

Madigan is informed by ComEd that Juan Ochoa, Garoia ally, will be appointed to the utlity's board of directors.

Oct. 30, 2018

Garcia receives his first ever donation from Comed, $2,500 from Exelon Corp. PAC.

March 21, 2019

Exelon Corporation PAC donates $1,000 to Chuy for Congress.

April 26, 2019

Juan Ochoa is officially appointed to ComEd board of directors.

June 27, 2019

Exelon Corporation PAC donates $2,000 to Chuy for Congress.

March 17, 2020

Exelon Corporation PAC donates $2,500 to Chuy for Congress.