Rockford Sun

In the wake of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction on corruption charges, State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) is renewing his call for ethics reforms in state government. 

On Feb. 12, a federal jury found Madigan guilty on 10 counts of conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud related to corrupt schemes involving the state’s largest utility, ComEd.

“Madigan’s guilty verdict is proof that Illinois has long been a hotspot of government corruption and crooked politicians,” Cabello said in a press release. “While this guilty verdict is celebrated and provides proof that Illinois has a broken system of government, corruption remains rampant throughout Illinois’ public bodies. Lawmakers, especially those in the Rockford area who still maintain connections to Michael Madigan, should use this result to pass legitimate ethics reform and prioritize rebuilding public trust in our institutions.”

Cabello represents the 90th House District, which includes northern Winnebago County, portions of Rockford, and northern Stephenson County, including most of Freeport.

Madigan, the longest-serving leader of any state or federal legislative body in U.S. history, was convicted after a lengthy trial that included damning wiretap evidence. The former speaker, who held his position for 36 years, was found guilty of orchestrating schemes involving job placements and legislative favors in exchange for bribes and other political favors. 

One notable incident involved Madigan securing a job for former state representative Eddie Acevedo in return for support from AT&T on legislation.

From 1983 to 2023, Illinois averaged more than one corruption conviction per week. Over a 40-year period, there were 2,168 convictions related to corruption, many of them linked to Madigan’s influence in state government. 

Even after Madigan’s departure from office in 2021, Illinois saw a record 59 corruption convictions in 2023, with a significant number of cases originating from Chicago’s Northern District.

To combat this ongoing issue, critics have recommended a variety of reforms, including limiting the influence of lawmakers as lobbyists, improving financial transparency, and strengthening the role of the legislative inspector general.

Madigan’s tenure also left a lasting impact on Illinois’ finances. Under his leadership, the state faced fiscal mismanagement, rising debt, and a ballooning pension crisis.

Experts point to Madigan's role in pushing generous pension benefits without adequate funding plans as a primary factor in the state’s financial woes, which now include one of the worst pension debts in the nation and a near-junk credit rating.

According to Illinois Policy, the state’s fiscal decline can be traced to Madigan’s control over the legislative process, which led to poor budgeting practices, reliance on borrowing, and financial gimmicks to balance the state’s budget. 

High taxes and massive debt have also contributed to an exodus of residents from Illinois, further straining the state's economy.