East Central Reporter

The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan has begun in Chicago, with jury selection currently underway. Madigan faces charges of bribery and racketeering alongside his longtime associate Mike McClain. The indictment alleges that Madigan led the "Madigan Enterprise," a scheme to enrich himself and his political allies while maintaining power in Springfield. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

The trial is expected to last until December, with potential jurors being questioned on their views regarding the political system in Illinois, lobbying, and the intersection of business and politics. Legal experts anticipate that evidence will delve into issues concerning money, power, and political influence in Chicago and Springfield.

In a separate development, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed new members to the Chicago Board of Education following the mass resignation of the previous board. This move comes amid financial challenges faced by Chicago Public Schools (CPS), including an inability to meet pension payments and negotiate new collective bargaining agreements.

Johnson's administration proposed a high-interest loan to cover immediate financial obligations, which was rejected by CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and the outgoing board. Instead, district leaders suggested cost-saving measures such as furloughs and layoffs.

The National Review criticized Johnson for allegedly prioritizing union demands over fiscal responsibility. The editorial accused him of pressuring school board members to fire Martinez after he refused to approve a $300 million loan favored by Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).

Meanwhile, Illinois plans to issue up to $1.7 billion in general obligation bonds this month. The sale includes $1.1 billion in refunding bonds and $600 million in new debt, set for October 16th in New York City. These bonds represent an additional financial burden on Illinois taxpayers due to legal covenants preventing early repayment before 2033.

Despite having a balanced budget as required by law, Illinois continues accruing debt through these bond issuances amidst higher-than-average state tax rates.