Carbondale Reporter

In a March 15 Facebook post, Rep. Paul Jacobs shared information on the bribery trial of former Speaker Michael Madigan.

"ComEd Four" Trial Underway. The federal government's case against four former ComEd officials began with jury selection in a Chicago courtroom on Tuesday," Jacobs wrote. "The former executives of the energy giant are accused of participating in a decade-long scheme to bribe and influence former Speaker Mike Madigan, who himself has been indicted on bribery, fraud, and racketeering charges.

Madigan also pleaded "not guilty" to those 22 charges, Advantage News reported.

Jacobs was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020. A Republican, their legislative experience includes serving on the Tourism Committee and Higher Education. Jacobs is a state representative who resides in Pomona, according to the Illinois House.

Open Secrets noted both parties are filled with legislators accepting money from lobbyists.

In his Facebook post, Rep. Jacobs shared a link to a Chicago Sun-Times article about the trial. The first day of the trial included a decision by U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber to allow recordings of former House Speaker Michael Madigan and his allies to be released after jurors hear them. On the first day of the trial, Leinenweber spent time questioning 94 potential jurors.

The GOP isn’t a stranger to having members accused of poor behavior. The Associated Press reported court records showed Eric Greitens, who was a leading Republican Senate candidate, beat Sheena Greitens, his ex-wife.

ABC Chicago 7 reported that the first day of the trial focused on “establishing Madigan as the one person during his tenure who could make or break a piece of legislation, wrote the rules that ran the House and would substitute committee members if he knew a particular member was going to vote against his wishes.” Several former state representatives testified on the first day of the trial.

Open Secretes reported the National Rifle Association donated approximately $600,000 to only Republicans this election year even after a mass shooting event in Texas where an 18-year-old killed several Uvlade elementary students and teachers.

WTTW notes that it's taken two years for the "ComEd Four" to be brought to trial. "Opening statements in the trial of the “ComEd Four” — ex-CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist Mike McClain, retired ComEd executive John Hooker and ex-City Club of Chicago president and former ComEd consultant Jay Doherty — began Wednesday, more than two years after they were charged with bribery conspiracy, bribery and willfully falsifying the utility’s books and records."