Rockford Sun

As the New Year approaches, Illinois House Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) is hopeful that federal corruption probes in Springfield may help state government finally turn a corner and take a new direction in 2020.

“We've had a number of bombshells drop so far in 2019,” Keicher recently posted on Facebook. “What will 2020 bring? The federal investigations into corruption in Illinois are long overdue. They are uncovering deep and complicated issues, issues intentionally hidden and opaqued by those in the inner circles. I'm angry that it has taken until now. As these federal revelations land, we need to remove the bad actors."

At the center of the commotion is longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), who is reportedly being targeted by federal agents. The Chicago Tribune reports that at least four individuals recently interviewed by investigators have revealed they were asked direct questions about Madigan's knowledge of and potential involvement in a number of separate schemes.

Illinois state Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore)

Most recently, longtime City Club of Chicago president Jay Doherty, who has longstanding ties to Madigan, stepped down as heat increased from federal agents about his work as a former ComEd lobbyist. Doherty's resignation comes months after FBI agents swarmed City Club’s Michigan Avenue headquarters in a search for, among other things, information about Madigan.

In addition to all that, two longtime state lawmakers have been forced to step down after being indicted or investigated as part of probes that included allegations of bribery and taking kickbacks. State Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) was actually taken into custody on the bribery charge while state Sen. Martn Sandoval’s (D-Chicago) resignation is slated to take effect Jan. 1.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Doherty had lobbied for ComEd in Springfield and Chicago for about a decade. Sandoval’s daughter, Angie, listed herself online as a senior account manager in government affairs at ComEd.