State Rep. Chris Miller | Contributed photo
State Rep. Chris Miller | Contributed photo
State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Robinson) likens the still-unfolding federal corruption probe now sweeping Springfield and implicating longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan to the layers of an onion being pulled back for all to see.
“All the layers are finally being pulled back until we get to the core,” Miller told the East Central Reporter. “I think as more time goes by the more we’ll see things like this happening until we get to the root.”
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.
“I think when you think about everything that’s happened over the last year with the speaker, from a sexual harassment scandal involving some of his associates to the ComEd scandal, it comes as no surprise that the more the feds dig, the more they come up with,” Miller added. “This culture of corruption has been the Springfield way for far too long.”
Miller said he was glad to see federal investigators become involved when they did because he doubts if anyone else could get the job done, including the special House committee recently created to look into Madigan’s conduct and decide if disciplinary action is warranted.
“My practical experience has been whenever they form a special committee to do anything it’s been just smoke and mirrors designed to create an illusion and at the end of the day nothing happens,” he said.
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