State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, expected the verdict in the high-profile federal court case against former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Today, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud.
“Although Mike Madigan was found guilty on multiple counts, the culture of corruption in Illinois remains very much evident,” said Sosnowski. “This verdict should send a message to the leaders in our state that something has to change. The pattern of corruption eroding public confidence in Illinois and abusing taxpayers cannot be tolerated.”
Representative Sosnowski called for ethics reform. House Republicans have put forward sweeping ethics reform legislation that would strengthen Illinois ethics laws. This legislation includes stopping public officials from using campaign funds for legal defense, suspending pensions from retired lawmakers that face corruption charges, stopping the ‘revolving door’ practice of one day being a Member of the General Assembly and the next day becoming a lobbyist.
“Unless the General Assembly takes action to eradicate the practices that continue to allow the ‘Madigan Way’ to fester, unethical behavior will still be the norm in Illinois,” Sosnowski added. “Enough is enough! The people of Illinois deserve better.”
Currently, the Democratic Supermajority in the House has refused to allow committee hearings or a vote on any of the House Republicans’ ethics reform legislation.
Representative Sosnowski serves the 69th District which includes portions of Winnebago, Boone, and McHenry Counties.