Chicago Democratic state Rep. Michael Madigan announced his resignation from the seat he has held for half a century amid a federal bribery investigation that disrupted his long political career.
“It has been my great honor to serve the people of Illinois as speaker of the House and state representative of the 22nd District,” he said in a statement on Thursday, adding that he’s “at peace” with his decision to resign.
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Madigan, the former Illinois House speaker and Democratic Party boss, is regarded as the longest-tenured state House speaker in U.S. history. The politician’s 50-year service was marred after federal authorities scrutinized multiple associates of his, including leading figures in a city power company, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd). Madigan, who has not been charged with a crime and has denied any wrongdoing, lost his campaign for a 19th term as House speaker to Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch in January after 19 Democratic colleagues refused to support his candidacy.
The 78-year-old, who will reportedly not resign from his post as a leader in the Democratic Party of Illinois, appeared to acknowledge the federal inquiry he faced during his time in office.
“It’s no secret that I have been the target of vicious attacks by people who sought to diminish my many achievements lifting up the working people of Illinois,” Madigan continued. “The fact is, my motivation for holding elected office has never wavered. I have been resolute in my dedication to public service and integrity, always acting in the interest of the people of Illinois.”
INBOX: Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is resigning. Here’s his statement: pic.twitter.com/odseZLQybQ
— Joel Ebert (@joelebert29) February 18, 2021
In 2020, ComEd was accused of intending to “influence and reward” Madigan via bribery, according to a filing with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Prosecutors charged that “certain senior executives and agents of ComEd” were “aware” of the purpose of the payments to Madigan’s office, resulting in a $200 million fine for the utility company. Federal investigators entered a deferred prosecution agreement with ComEd, and charges will be dropped in two years if the company continues to cooperate.
MEMBER OF ILLINOIS HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP WON’T SUPPORT MADIGAN FOR ANOTHER TERM
As told by federal prosecutors, roughly $1.3 million was given to Madigan’s associates between 2011 and 2019 to influence the speaker, and the utility company said it could have potentially seen a $150 million benefit from the exchange of money, according to the court filing.
Madigan was subpoenaed on July 29 for records pertaining to his political allies, his law firm, and other high-level figures in the community. Business giants AT&T and Walgreens were also the subject of the corruption investigation.
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Representatives for the Illinois Democratic Party did not immediately reply to the Washington Examiner‘s request for comment.
