Rockford Sun

Republican state House candidate Kathie Hansen is hoping to see federal investigators keep digging in the ComEd probe that has already ensnared House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“I think there’s more to be uncovered and more questions that demand answers from the Speaker Madigan,” Hansen told the Rockford Sun. “Finally, he can’t just pass this off as business as usual.”

Federal authorities recently moved to charge Fidel Marquez, who formerly served as vice president of governmental affairs, with bribery and conspiracy stemming from his alleged part in a pay-for-play scheme in which indictments say jobs, contracts and payments were steered to associates known to be close to Madigan in exchange for his support on certain legislation.

Earlier this summer, federal investigators also announced that the utility giant had been charged with a years-long bribery scheme where at least $1.3 million in perks were steered to Madigan associates. At the same time, Madigan’s office was served with a grand jury subpoena seeking more information about their dealings with such companies as at AT&T, Walgreens and Rush University Medical Center.

“When it comes to bringing reform to Springfield, I think it’s all on the feds right now because it seems the people of his district still aren’t ready to do anything by voting him out,” Hansen added. “On top of that, I still don’t think there are enough Democrats in Springfield willing to stand up to him. The bottom line is he still controls the purse strings and too many of them feel to get anything done, you have to play ball with Madigan.  

Hansen said Madigan's control on Springfield speaks to why the state needs term limits for its elected officials.

"We should never allow anything like this to ever happen again in terms of one man remaining in power for so long,” she said.