Rockford Sun

The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has entered its third month at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. Federal prosecutors have called numerous witnesses, including elected officials and business leaders, to support their case that Madigan engaged in racketeering and bribery conspiracy. Former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis recently concluded his testimony after spending 21 hours on the stand over six days. Solis secretly recorded conversations with Madigan while serving as Chairman of the City of Chicago’s Zoning Committee.

Madigan was indicted in March 2022 on charges including racketeering, bribery, and official misconduct related to a bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison. He served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021, mostly as Speaker. State Senator Dave Syverson noted that Senate Republicans have introduced legislation for ethics reforms to prevent future abuses of power.

In another development, Illinois is considering redesigning its state flag. The Illinois Flag Commission has selected ten finalists from nearly 5,000 submissions for a public vote starting in January. The results will be reported by April 1, followed by a legislative decision on adopting a new design or retaining the current one.

The original flag was designed by Lucy Derwent in 1915 and has seen minimal changes since then. Senator Syverson expressed opposition to changing the flag due to potential costs for taxpayers.

Additionally, President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of Rita Crundwell, a former City Comptroller of Dixon who embezzled $54 million from the city. Crundwell's sentence was reduced on December 12 from her original 19-year term following her conviction in 2013 for what was considered one of the largest municipal frauds in U.S. history.

Senator Syverson criticized this decision: “This is a slap in the face of every taxpayer in Dixon – and all the taxpayers in Illinois – who had to pay the price of what she did,” he said.