East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) wants to see no stone unturned in the federal corruption investigation that has ensnared longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“I hope the process is a slow, arduous and methodical one because if there is anything to it we need to make sure we can prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt so we can start to do something about removing all those who’ve had a hand in turning Springfield into the joke it’s become,” Miller told the East Central Reporter. “We’ve earned our wings in terms of being the corruption capital of the country. I’m hoping this will prove to be about liberating us from all that.”

After nearly four decades of being in control in Springfield, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd. Federal prosecutors contend the company engaged in a “years-long bribery scheme” involving jobs, contracts and payments that were steered to him in his role as house speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

To date, no charges have been filed against the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, but prosecutors have not been shy in asserting that the utility giant sought to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

“It’s no surprise that Democrats have been largely silent about all this,” Miller added. “They’re also a bunch that’s notorious for circling the wagon when they feel the need.”

Whenever the reforms come, Miller argues they need to be meaningful and substantial.

“The same old kind of cosmetic changes or smoke and mirrors won’t do us any good,” he said. “It’s past time we got real about putting this state back on the right track.”