The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a woman who called herself “super mayor” and a collection of other self-serving public servants are among the highest-profile corruption cases in decades. Here’s the naughty list for 2024.
By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute
While most Illinoisans are preparing to share gifts, multiple probes into Illinois corruption remind us just how many powerful public servants wanted to receive gifts in 2024.
Ranked as the second-most corrupt state in the nation, Illinois’ corrupt politicians stand out in a crowded field for exploiting taxpayers’ good will. Here are some notable public corruption and misconduct cases from 2024.
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan
The nearly two-month-long federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, is predicted to come to a close in mid-January 2025.
Madigan is under indictment on 23-counts, including federal racketeering and bribery charges. Prosecutors allege Madigan ran a criminal enterprise, exchanging influence on key legislation for job opportunities for constituents and other allies.
The former speaker and his longtime political operative, Michael McClain, are accused of pressuring developers to hire Madigan’s law firm as well as conspiring with Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois to provide no-work jobs for the speaker’s associates in return for legislative support in Springfield.
Court documents state Madigan netted $2.85 million in illegitimate funds.
Madigan’s current corruption trial follows a more than decade-long federal investigation into the former speaker that led to at least 21 individuals and businesses facing related criminal charges.
Madigan allies, including McClain, his former chief of staff and the “ComEd Four,” were found guilty by a federal court in 2023 in connection with Madigan’s patronage hiring scheme.
But Madigan denies all of it. He claimed jobs were given to his constituents because of good recommendations, not illegal influence.
Former state lawmaker Michael McClain
Former state lawmaker and longtime Springfield lobbyist Michael McClain is currently facing trial for a second time in the past two years for conspiring with Madigan to commit bribery and racketeering. McClain was Madigan’s long-time confidant and fixer.
McClain is currently facing trial on a 23-count indictment, including federal racketeering, bribery and wire fraud charges alongside his codefendant and longtime political ally, Madigan. McClain has pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
McClain also denied wrongdoing as a defendant in the “ComEd Four” case before being found guilty in May 2023. He was convicted on all charges of conspiring to influence and reward Madigan for helping pass legislation favorable to Commonwealth Edison in Springfield.
Former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke
Once considered the most powerful alderman in Chicago, former 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million in June 2024 after being convicted on all but one of the 14 counts of racketeering, attempted bribery, attempted extortion and other crimes.
Burke used his aldermanic powers and city finance committee chairmanship to divert business to his private tax law firm, Klafter & Burke, and shake down groups attempting to work with City Hall. The cigar-chomping, pinstripe-suited politician was in power for five decades.
The cases included threatening to block a proposed fee increase at the Field Museum, shaking down owners of a Burger King in his ward, accepting contracts for his personal law firm in return for support in the city council and blocking approval of the Chicago Post Office redevelopment until Klafter & Burke was hired by the developers.
The list (sadly) continues here.
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