SPRINGFIELD, Ill � The legislative investigation into Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is on hold until after the election. Now, there’s more backlash about the decision from House Republicans.
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) says Committee Chairman Emanuel “Chris� Welch took a dive for Madigan. Durkin feels Welch has constantly stalled the committee’s work to shield the Speaker from answering questions about his involvement in the bribery scheme with Commonwealth Edison.
He says Welch “pulled the plug� on hearings as the committee started to receive more information from ComEd.
“All the people of Illinois, the governor, and any member of the legislature who takes their oath seriously have been left in the dark by Chairman Welch,� Durkin said Thursday.
The Republican called on Gov. JB Pritzker to immediately demand Madigan testify or resign from the Speaker’s role. Durkin also says Pritzker shouldn’t trust Madigan’s motivations with any future legislation.
Jordan Abudayyeh, Pritzker’s Press Secretary, says the governor strongly believes Madigan should answer these questions.
“That being said, there is a legislative process underway and as a co-equal branch of government, members of the General Assembly have used this process before and they are capable of managing it on their own,� Abudayyeh stated.
“Political theater�
Welch also said Durkin is showing little regard for work of the Special Investigating Committee.
“While Leader Durkin grandstands to prop up his politically vulnerable members, the committee is taking productive steps in the process he initiated,� Welch stated. “Democratic and Republican counsel for the committee is working with ComEd to secure the documents both sides have requested. As representatives from ComEd acknowledged in these conversations, a comprehensive response requires diligence and thoroughness.�
called Welch a coward and referred to him as “Chairman Squelch� earlier this week. The Hillside Democrat found the name-calling disappointing and unprofessional.
“But yet, it’s consistent with the way they’ve treated us all along with all of the last-minute surprises and punches that they’ve thrown from day one,� Welch told the Capitol Bureau.
Meanwhile, Durkin claims he was unsure of any name-calling throughout the investigative process.
“The only group that’s name-calling is the U.S. Attorney’s office who have referenced Speaker Madigan as ‘Public Official A� 72 times in the deferred prosecution agreement,� Durkin said. “I’m not aware of any other name-calling.�
At the same time, Welch feels Durkin never wanted a serious process.
“From the breathless demands that legislators join his rush to judgment to the coordinated attacks launched by his campaign operation, Leader Durkin’s only goal is political theater. I urge Leader Durkin to put the political performances aside and let our investigation take its course,� Welch added.
The special investigating committee is set to meet again on November 5. That’s less than two weeks before lawmakers return for veto session.
