Carbondale Reporter

State House Republican leader Jim Durkin (R- Western Springs) is calling for Speaker Michael Madigan to resign his leadership position following allegations that emerged in a federal bribery investigation of the utility company Commonwealth Edison.

“The federal charges outlined in the ComEd prosecution highlight a scheme solely for the benefit of Speaker Madigan,” Durkin said in a statement. “These facts are a disgrace of the highest level to the citizens of Illinois and to the institution of which we serve, the Illinois House of Representatives.”

Durkin said that the facts included in the deferred prosecution agreement with ComEd, make it  “abundantly clear” that Madigan is unable to execute his responsibilities as speaker.

“I call for the immediate resignation of Speaker Madigan from the Illinois House of Representatives, and will be filing a resolution to have the House Chamber vote on a new speaker immediately,” Durkin said. 

ComEd will pay $200 million as part of its deferred prosecution agreement, WTTW reported. Madigan, who was not indicted, has denied wrongdoing.

According to a federal court document, “ComEd maintained a continuing interest in advancing legislation in the Illinois General Assembly favorable to its interests, and opposing legislation that was not consistent with its operational and financial success.” It goes on to describe the utility company’s relationship with the Illinois Speaker of the House, who is identified as Public Official A.

ComEd “corruptly gave, offered, and agreed to give things of value, namely, jobs, vendor subcontracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and subcontracts, for the benefit of Public Official A and Public Official A’s associates,” the document said.

In a statement, Madigan’s office said, “The Speaker has never helped someone find a job with the expectation that the person would not be asked to perform work by their employer, nor did he ever expect to provide anything to a prospective employer if it should choose to hire a person he recommended. He has never made a legislative decision with improper motives and has engaged in no wrongdoing here. Any claim to the contrary is unfounded.”