Illinois Valley Times

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) thinks the latest ComEd top executive to be charged in connection with the federal probe that has put House Speaker Mike Madigan in the crosshairs could signal the beginning of the end for the state’s longest-tenured lawmaker.

“I think this is just the latest of many indictments to come,” Rezin told the Illinois Valley Times. “The FBI is clearly honing in on people around Madigan and I think ultimately you’re going to see something with the speaker. That’s why so many Republicans have already asked him to step down.”

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.

“The FBI has brought a focus to corruption that we’ve never seen before in Springfield,” Rezin added. “They’ve been methodical in building their case and it gives me hope that when this is over, we can have real reform in Springfield.”

Rezin said she commends House Republicans for leading the charge in creating a bipartisan House committee that will look into Madigan’s actions and determine if any disciplinary measures are warranted.

“It’s a good first step, but I don’t know if it would be enough to get what we need in Springfield,” she said. “But at the end of the day, Madigan and the Democrats would still have all the power.”