Former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan speaks with a Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound reporter on an unrelated topic in a 2019 interview. --File photo
Feds bust Madigan
Neighbors vent disgust with former political powerhouse
By Tim Hadac
(Editor’s note: this story is a companion piece to this Capitol News Illinois story: https://www.southwestregionalpublishing.com/capitol-news-post/the-madigan-enterprise-inside-the-federal-indictment-of-the-states-former-speaker/)
Southwest Siders reacted largely with disgust, cynicism and even a bit of resignation to the news that former longtime political powerhouse Michael J. Madigan has been indicted by a federal grand jury on 22 counts for allegedly using his position as the top House Democrat to solicit personal financial rewards for himself and others.
Most of those contacted by the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound and who agreed to weigh in were brief.
“About freaking time,” said Marylou Mora.
“Lock him up!” added former Southwest Sider John F. Kerulis.
“Better late than never,” said Larry Lazarus.
“Say it ain’t so, neighbor,” added West Lawn resident Juan Calderon.
“He knew it was coming, and that’s why he resigned,” said Rocky Miller. “It’s a felony charge, so he should lose his high-end pension. He is the reason why there needs to be term limits.”
“Everyone [in politics] is corrupt,” said Braulio Resendiz. “Nobody works for the people.”
“Unfortunately many Democrats look the other way to the corruption that Chicago, Crook County, and the state is entrenched in because they rely on the freebies and patronage jobs that the Democratic Party provides,” said Jim Smith. “And the beat goes on and will never die.”
Longtime business owner Harry Galinski said the 79-year-old Madigan will “likely die of old age long before he ever sets foot in a courtroom or prison cell.”
Clearing resident Judy Ollry agreed, adding, “[Madigan] has the best lawyers. One of them teaches, so you’re probably right.”
She added, “Give the average Democrat a garbage can and they think you’re worth voting for. Give them a second one and their whole family is eternally grateful.”
“Honestly, who cares?” asked Mary Darcy Williams. “He got away with it for a lifetime. Punish him now? He had all his fun. Waste of money.”
“A little late now,” added Pete Koustakis. “More than anyone, he ruined Illinois. The damage has been done. Just look at all the moving vans heading for the borders.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, one person on the Southwest Side not at all at a loss for words was 13th Ward Republican Committeeman David Krupa, Madigan’s most visible political foe.
“For years, many–including myself–have fought Madigan’s machine and the corrupt political practices that have plagued our state,” he said in a statement. “I have had the pleasure of meeting, befriending, and fighting alongside these great patriots. This indictment has been long awaited and is very encouraging for us all.
“It marks an end to a chapter of Illinois history that we soon wish to forget, but one that we also need to learn from,” Krupa continued. “We cannot allow another tyrant like Madigan to rule with an iron fist. One man should not decide who wins a race before the race even begins, that is for the voters to decide.
“While running for [13th Ward alderman], many people asked what experience I had or had concerns about my age. Many voters in my ward were content with the city services they were receiving and denied me fiercely, questioning why I felt the need to even run, but they didn’t acknowledge the real reason I was running. I often like to say that I ran to oppose corruption and the Madigan Machine rather than to actually seek the office of Chicago alderman.
“Through the media attention my run for alderman received, the 13th Ward Democratic Organization was exposed for the criminal enterprise that it truly is. The residents of my ward were harassed, bullied, intimidated, blackmailed, and threatened by the precinct captains that make up the 13th Ward Democratic Organization along with other outside help from other branches of the Madigan Machine. I myself received death threats from my precinct captain, as well as slander and defamation to my character. The crimes committed by the 13th Ward Democratic Organization extend beyond what is alleged in the indictment, and I hope that further investigation will result in additional counts against the organization.
“The road ahead may not be easy and there is certainly more work to be done, but this is a victory for Illinois and a very large step in the right direction,” Krupa concluded. “It is important that we continue to fight against corruption, even if it is not easy to do.”
Local News
Postseason Sports Report: Area stars ready for state bowling and dancing
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The first two IHSA state tournaments for winter sports will take place this weekend, and an army of area athletes will be competing in both. The boys bowling and competitive dance championships will be held Friday and Saturday, with the bowlers heading to St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon…
‘These bruises won’t heal’
Spread the loveCPS kids back in school, but bitterness remains By Tim Hadac Teachers who walked off the job in the new year returned last week after the Chicago Teachers Union rank and file voted to accept Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s offer of increased safety measures at schools. But it was a divided vote, with just…
Smooch from a pooch
Spread the loveMutts of the Midway volunteer John Shaker smiles as he gets a smooch from Burt, a 5-year-old American Pit Bull/Boston Terrier mix. Shaker works as a transporter, driving dogs to and from veterinarian appointments. The 37-pound Burt was rescued by the non-profit Mutts of the Midway from a shelter in Texas. For several…
Here’s a sure sign of spring
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. How have you been surviving January? This is one month I always hope flies by. If the sun is out, the temperatures are, or feel like they are in the subzero range. If it’s cloudy, which is most…
College Report: McAuley grad Swiatek plays hero for St. Francis
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Swiatek comes off the bench for the University of St. Francis and is averaging 3.1 points per game. But when called on for the biggest shot of her college career, the 5-foot-8 junior guard from Oak Lawn delivered. Swiatek scored the winning basket in a wild 99-97…
Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
Ailing eagle on the mend
Spread the loveSeveral blocks northwest of Garfield Ridge—just west of 47th and Harlem–motorists late last month noticed an eagle flying low and acting erratically. The Villa Park-based Chicago Bird Collision Monitors was contacted, and its volunteers found and captured the majestic bird. It was transported to a facility owned and operated by Glen Ellyn-based Willowbrook…
Can’t we just fast-forward to spring?
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. Is it spring yet? Is the pandemic over yet? Not that I’m impatient or anything. I want to move forward past all the negative COVID-19 has brought to my life and everyone else’s life. I want to see…
Neighbors
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Lawmakers pitch sweeping changes to energy industry and Chicagoland transit system
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com A group of lawmakers and influential environmental advocates are calling for broad changes to the state’s energy industry and a massive increase in state oversight of Chicagoland’s transit system – which faces a projected $730 million budget shortfall. Advocates for the policy platform, which is broken up into…
Democrats flex muscle to kick off final month of session as revenues remain on track
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With about three weeks to go before the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring legislative session, supermajority Democrats showed their strength this week as fiscal forecasters noted state revenues remain on track. April is typically a make-or-break month for state coffers, as income…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Capitol Briefs: Senate advances elections bill, measure targeting ‘predatory’ lending
By PETER HANCOCK & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would put more controls on certain kinds of high-cost loans to small businesses cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday. Senate Bill 2234, known as the Small Business Financial Transparency Act, targets a relatively new kind of nontraditional lender in the credit…
Law enforcement community honors fallen officers at Illinois Capitol
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Six fallen police officers were honored at an annual memorial service outside the State Capitol Thursday. The Illinois Police Officers Memorial occurs annually on the first Thursday of May to honor officers who died in the line of duty and to support their families. “No one…
Democrats muscle through changes to ballot access, advisory questions
By JERRY NOWICKI HANNAH MEISEL & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Supermajority Democrats in the Illinois House moved quickly Wednesday to push through a change to state election laws that partially limits ballot access and adds three nonbinding referendums to the 2024 general election ballot. It’s a move that caused minority party…