State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) has been assigned to the Special Investigative Committee probing potential misconduct on the part of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan.
“It’s an honor to have been appointed to this committee by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin,” Mazzochi said. “For the good of Illinois, I hope we can get some answers and take a definitive action.”
Mazzochi joins fellow Republican state Reps. Grant Wehrli and Tom Demmer on the committee, which also includes Democrats Emmanuel “Chris” Welch, Elizabeth Hernandez and Natalie Manley.
The investigation centers around an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd, in which the utility giant has admitted to a pay-for-play scheme where bribes were allegedly steered to several close Madigan associates in hopes of currying favor with him. ComEd has now entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Northern Illinois and agreed to pay a $200 million fine. To date Madigan, the longest-serving lawmaker in state history, has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing.
A majority vote from the committee is needed for the investigation to advance to the next stage, where another committee would determine a punishment that would then be considered by the entire House. At least a two-thirds majority is needed from the full House before any member can face expulsion.
Mazzochi said she is hoping the committee will work as quickly as it does judiciously.
“This is an investigative committee, and certainly we want to make sure that we’re creating an appropriate record so that the disciplinary committee can go forth and make findings based on that,” she told the Center Square.
Madigan has wasted little time in blasting the effort as a “political stunt” aimed at distracting voters in the heat of an election year.
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