In what’s become somewhat customary once an Illinois political titan falls, leaders throughout the state responded with condemnation and called for reforms upon hearing Friday that ex-Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in federal prison and fined $2.5 million on federal corruption charges.
House Republican leader Tony McCombie of Savanna and Senate Republican leader John Curran of Downers Grove called for bipartisan ethics reforms in the wake of the sentencing, with Curran specifically requesting committee hearings and votes on potential changes — something that didn’t happen this session.
Madigan’s sentencing was “a stark and shameful reminder of the corruption that has plagued Illinois government for far too long,” McCombie said in a statement. “Justice was served — but the damage to public trust runs deep.”
But Illinois’ last prominent statewide politician who went to federal prison, former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, held back on the chance to take a swipe at a bitter nemesis when Madigan was sentenced. Though the two were Democrats, they feuded for nearly all six years Blagojevich was in office between 2003 and 2009.
“When that guy, Madigan, was on the top of the mountain, they were all kissing his ass,” Blagojevich said. “Now they’re going to be stomping all over his grave. And it’s really, it’s really sort of an unappealing side of human nature.”
Blagojevich said Madigan’s conviction underscores the systemic problems in politics and government in the state Capitol.
“Is the system in Springfield corrupt, in many ways, absolutely,” Blagojevich said in an interview with the Tribune while insisting he didn’t break the law. “It’s a system, I’ve been saying this from the beginning, it all too often works for itself on the backs of the people.”
Blagojevich — whose 14-year federal prison sentence for corruption was commuted by President Donald Trump, who ultimately also pardoned Blagojevich — didn’t want to celebrate Madigan’s prison sentence despite the two’s often-tense relationship.
“I just don’t think it’s right for me to kick a man when he’s down,” Blagojevich said. “What’s happening now to him, I know what it’s like. And it’s really easy for these politicians to get on their high horses and start kicking someone, stomping on someone.”
Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park who is facing a potential fine of nearly $10 million from the Illinois State Board of Elections for improper political fundraising, said Friday’s sentence represented “a solemn reminder” that the duty of public office holders is to serve “and that there is accountability for those who do not.”
