State Rep. Dan Ugaste | File photo
State Rep. Dan Ugaste | File photo
State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-McHenry) argues the latest arrest of a former ComEd top executive in the still unfolding federal corruption probe in which longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan has also been implicated sends an irrefutable message.
“It says that the scandals continue to build around Speaker Madigan and the fact that his party hasn’t called for him to step down shows that they’re willing to stay with status quo,” Ugaste told the McHenry Times. “I think everyone can see it’s time for new leadership in Springfield."
Federal authorities recently moved to charge Fidel Marquez, who formerly served as vice president of governmental affairs, with bribery and conspiracy stemming from his alleged part in a pay-for-play scheme in which indictments say jobs, contracts and payments were steered to associates known to be close to Madigan in exchange for his support on certain legislation.
Earlier this summer, federal investigators also announced that the utility giant had been charged with a years-long bribery scheme where at least $1.3 million in perks were steered to Madigan associates. At the same time, Madigan’s office was served with a grand jury subpoena seeking more information about their dealings with such companies as at AT&T, Walgreens and Rush University Medical Center.
“I think to have the feds look into this is the best way to get to the bottom of everything,” Ugaste said. “The attorney general and multiple state’s attorneys have not seemed interested and the Cook County state’s attorney has always been doing other things.”
Ugaste added he’s taking a wait-and-see attitude on the question of how effective a newly formed special House committee convened to look into some of Madigan’s actions and determine if they warrant disciplinary action can be.
“I know they have a job to do and I fully anticipate that everyone assigned to the committee will do the job they were given,” he said. “The reputation of the House is at stake and I’d like to think if he’s done something that merits sanctions we’ll hear about it.”
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