East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) is slamming House Speaker Chris Welch's office for releasing a series of talking points in favor of indicted former Speaker Michael Madigan.

Miller urges ethics reform to safeguard people from corrupt officials — again. Miller criticized the set of statements released and then retracted by Welch because he said his staff wrongly sent them without his approval.

“It is kind of hard to defend the indefensible," Miller told East Central Reporter. "The junior staffer being thrown under the bus by his superiors certainly gave it the ole college try. But there is no defending Mike Madigan, and no one should try. What we need to focus on is making sure history does not repeat itself. We need to enact tough anti-corruption measures to ensure that no one turns our government into a criminal enterprise ever again.” 

The disavowed memo guided Democrats to "call into question certain aspects of the investigation process regarding Speaker Madigan’s case. From the start, he has faced unfair, partisan accusations, charges which appear to have influenced the indictments laid out today." It further read: "For years, our opponents across the aisle have focused their ire and prejudicial scrutiny on Speaker Madigan, to little effect. However, their constant accusations have finally had an impact; the federal government has buckled under their pressure."

“The fact that the Democrats are looking for excuses when it comes to Mike Madigan is a clear indication that they are not at all serious about changing the culture in Illinois," Miller said. "That is the sad part of this memo. Mike Madigan has been indicted but little has changed in Springfield.”

This isn't the first time Madigan's handpicked successor has been questioned about his loyalty to the people of Illinois. Welch was accused of protecting Madigan in 2020 after ending a probe into the ComEd bribery scandal. Then-representative Welch was the chairman of the committee investigating Madigan’s conduct. 

"You’re going through excruciating lengths to protect Michael J. Madigan from ever having to testify to his nefarious behavior," Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) said after Welch blocked a vote over whether or not to subpoena Madigan.

Several later documents revealed Madigan was running a racketeering ring involved in a $150 million bribery scandal.

Madigan, who served 36 years as House speaker, the longest in the country’s history, is accused of using the office for personal gain. But says he was "never involved in any criminal activity" in his 50 years in office. 

"I adamantly deny these accusations and look back proudly on my time as an elected official, serving the people of Illinois," Madigan said.