NW Illinois News

House Speaker Michael Madigan is refusing to testify before the House Special Investigating Committee assigned to look into allegations related to his role in a bribery scheme that led Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) to pay the federal government a $200 million settlement over charges the company did favors for associates of Madigan in order to influence him.

Despite facing calls even from within his own party for Madigan to resign, the speaker recently sent a three-page letter to the committee calling it a “political stunt” while maintaining that the federal investigation – which included a seizure of some of Madigan’s documents – “is more important than Mr. [House Republican Leader Jim] Durkin’s political theatrics,” according to coverage by the Journal Standard.

“For the record, I am not exercising my Fifth Amendment rights by not appearing before the committee,” The Journal Standard quoted from Madigan’s letter. “As I have said before, I have done nothing wrong.”

The House investigation was opened after ComEd paid the $200 million fine and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office in which the company admitted to giving jobs and contracts to Madigan’s associates in exchange for favors from Madigan in the handling of legislation.

Republicans on the House Special Investigating Committee have asked Madigan and several other witnesses – including former ComEd employees – to testify voluntarily, providing Madigan the opportunity to clear his name. However, Durkin recently indicated in a letter to committee Chairman Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch that one former ComEd employee has agreed to testify.

While the committee could subpoena those who have declined to testify, there is not yet any indication the committee will pursue that route.