Southern Illinois News

Illinois state Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pamona) recently took to social media to share that the ComEd bribery trial involving former Speaker Michael Madigan has started.

“The federal government's case against four former ComEd officials began with jury selection in a Chicago courtroom on Tuesday,” Jacobs wrote in a March 15 Facebook post. “The former executives of the energy giant are accused of participating in a decade-long scheme to bribe and influence former Speaker Mike Madigan, who himself has been indicted on bribery, fraud, and racketeering charges.”

In his Facebook post, Jacobs shared a link to a Chicago Sun-Times article about the trial. The first day of the trial included a decision by U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber to allow recordings of Madigan and his allies to be released after jurors hear them. During the first day of the trial, Leinenweber spent time questioning 94 potential jurors.

WLS recently reported that the first day of the trial focused on “establishing former House Speaker Mike Madigan as the one person during his tenure who could make or break a piece of legislation, wrote the rules that ran the House and would substitute committee members if he knew a particular member was going to vote against his wishes.” Several former state representatives testified during the first day of the trial.

WTTW noted that it has taken two years for the "ComEd Four" to be brought to trial. The four individuals being charged are ex-CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist Mike McClain, retired ComEd executive John Hooker and ex-City Club of Chicago president and former ComEd consultant Jay Doherty. The charges include bribery, bribery conspiracy, and willfully falsifying the utility’s records and books.

Jacobs, a Republican who resides in Pomona, was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020, the General Assembly website said. His legislative experience includes serving on the Tourism and Higher Education committees.