MADIGAN TRIAL
In closing arguments, federal prosecutors describe the “Make Mike Madigan Money Plan.” Federal prosecutors continued their closing arguments Wednesday in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, accusing the longtime Democratic powerbroker of using Chicago Ald. Danny Solis’ positions of power “to gain private benefits.” […]
“He (Madigan) wanted Solis to reach out the developers because the developers weren’t going to say no to Danny Solis – not when Solis held those cards in his hand as alderman and zoning board chair,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur told the jury in her closing arguments Thursday. […]
MacArthur alleged Madigan chose to ignore Solis’ flagrantly illegal suggestions because he was more concerned with his “desire for private gain,” which she dubbed the “Make Mike Madigan Money Plan.”
That plan, the prosecutor said, stretched to all 23 counts Madigan is charged with, including alleged bribery schemes involving electric utility Commonwealth Edison and telecom giant AT&T Illinois.
Both companies indirectly hired Madigan allies who performed little to no work for their monthly paychecks, actions the feds claim were bribes to the speaker in order to grease the wheels for easier passage of their preferred legislation in Springfield. ComEd also hired and contracted with other Madigan-connected people, though prosecutors spent time Wednesday and Thursday once again painting those hires as bribes. […]
MacArthur also took issue with Madigan’s explanation for his delayed confrontation with Solis given the “great deal of surprise and concern” the former speaker testified that Solis’ “quid pro quo” comment had caused him.
“Danny Solis was not subtle when he was talking to Madigan about this arrangement,” she said. “Madigan could’ve said, ‘Danny, stop. I don’t do business this way.’”
Instead, MacArthur told the jury, Madigan said, “Yeah, okay.”
“Your common sense tells you that ‘quid pro quo’ for public officials (should be) the equivalent of one of those ‘wrong way’ signs on highway offramp that tells you to turn around,” she said. “Madigan didn’t turn around. He kept moving forward.”
Read the rest of this article from Capitol News Illinois.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES
Illinois Supreme Court to decide on law limiting where people can sue state. It’s now up to the Illinois Supreme Court to decide if a recently enacted state law limiting where people can file constitutional challenges against the state to Sangamon and Cook counties, not any of the other 100 counties.
The case Piasa Armory vs. Kwame Raoul out of Madison County challenges the Illinois Firearm Industry Responsibility Act. But that’s not what the Illinois Supreme Court heard about Wednesday. The lawsuit included a challenge to a recently enacted measure to limit where the lawsuit could be heard to Sangamon County.
The circuit court granted plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment on the venue limiting law, concluding that the venue statute violates the due-process rights of those not residing in or injured in Sangamon and/or Cook Counties. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul appealed directly to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Deputy Solicitor General Alex Hemmer told the Illinois Supreme Court Wednesday that judges in Sangamon and Cook counties have more experience with such cases. Justice David Overstreet pressed the issue.
“A judge in Sangamon County or Cook County instead of one of the judges that citizens of one of these circuits have elected,” Overstreet said. “Why is that not unreasonable, why is that not blatant forum shopping?”
Read more from The Center Square.
I released the following statement on this:
“I opposed this legislation from the beginning because it limits access to justice for Illinoisans across the state. Every citizen deserves the right to challenge unconstitutional laws in their local courts. I hope the Illinois Supreme Court recognizes this overreach and upholds due process for all.”
AGRICULTURE
Record Illinois soybean crop reported. The 2024 Illinois soybean harvest, which totaled 688 million bushels, set an all-time harvest record in the Prairie State. The previous high mark had been 667 million bushels in 2018. The Illinois Soybean Association reported this week that Illinois farmers had harvested beans from 10.75 million acres of Illinois land. This land area was approximately 40 percent of the 27 million acres of farmland in Illinois. From this acreage, Illinois farmers harvested a yield of 64 bushels per acre.
More than 99% of the soybeans grown in Illinois are processed for eventual use by humans. Illinois workers and food scientists have pioneered the development of production processes for American soybeans. In Illinois, approximately 2,640 manufacturing companies process crops grown in the Land of Lincoln and neighboring states, making Illinois one of the largest concentrations of food-related businesses in the world. In addition to foodstuffs, soybean products can be used to make products such as soy-based biodiesel fuel.
ECONOMY
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s (CGFA) report, 2024 Illinois’ National Rankings, highlights Illinois’ high tax burden and economic challenges compared to other states. Illinois collected $5,019 per capita in state taxes in 2023, ranking 13th in the U.S. and significantly above the national average. Personal income tax collections were $1,738 per capita (16th highest), while sales tax revenue was $1,235 per capita (31st). Motor fuel taxes were among the nation’s highest, with a total burden of 66.5 cents per gallon, ranking 2nd.
Local governments also impose heavy taxes, including $2,606 per capita in property taxes (6th highest in the U.S.), contributing to a combined state and local tax burden that hinders economic growth. Illinois’ unemployment rate of 5.3% in October 2024 ranked 48th, while population decline during 2010-2020 placed Illinois 48th in growth. The report underscores the impact of high taxes on Illinois’ economy and population trends.
In response to that report, I said: “Our caucus is committed to promoting economic growth, reducing the burden of bloated government spending, and opposing any new tax increases. Illinois families and businesses deserve policies that encourage opportunity and innovation, not ones that drive jobs and people out of our state. We will continue to fight for reforms that create a stronger, more competitive Illinois.”
JOBS
Stellantis renews its commitment to Belvidere assembly plant. The Belvidere assembly complex, with half a century of experience making cars and light trucks for Chrysler and Jeep, closed in February 2023. The closure idled more than 1,000 workers based in the Northern Illinois plant.
This week, Stellantis announced plans to invest at least $1.2 billion to reopen the Belvidere assembly plant. Heavy investment will be required to completely refit and re-tool the complex. A full reopen will lead to the hiring of approximately 1,500 workers in Boone County, Illinois. Stellantis currently plans to build a mid-size truck, with a nameplate to be named later, at the Belvidere complex. The reopening was tentatively scheduled to take place in 2027.
With the Belvidere news, I issued the following statement: “The reopening of the Belvidere assembly plant is a tremendous win for Northern Illinois, bringing hope and opportunity back to Boone County. This project was stalled and would not have been possible without the leadership of President Trump and Stellantis Leadership, whose commitment to American manufacturing helped lay the groundwork for investments like this. I’m proud to see this progress and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our hardworking families.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
