Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) is sponsoring a bill that would ban lawmakers from using campaign funds to pay legal bills in corruption cases.

The proposed legislation comes at a time when longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (R-Chicago) is at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme.

“This bill was actually drafted when there was concern about the Speaker using funds to pay for legal counsel when members of his organization were hit with sexual assault allegations,” Mazzochi told the DuPage Policy Journal. “It goes to show another area where privileged insiders get to use political power to get perks others don’t have. Why should Madigan be allowed to do what no one else can?” 

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) | File photo

House Bill 4481 also “prohibits a political committee from making expenses to provide a defense in a criminal case or a civil case related to official misconduct.”

Mazzochi says she is also now calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to bring the legislature back into session, where she plans to sponsor a no-confidence vote on Madigan.

“We need to get back to work in Springfield,” Mazzochi said. “Right now, what is sad is we’re having to see federal criminal investigations to clean up Springfield. At some point, the hardworking, patient silent majority that says they hate corruption has to stand up and be silent no more. It’s past time to say, 'Take a hike, Mike.’”

Mazzochi is convinced Madigan won’t do the right thing by just walking away.

“I think he’ll continue to refuse to step down,” she said. “He knows his own party members are unwilling to hold him accountable for the corruption culture he has created. There just aren’t enough Democrats stepping forward to hold him accountable.”