The Greatest Show on Earth now underway in Chicago.
Executives and lobbyists for ComEd on trial for engaging in the Chicago Way.
Michael Madigan
For readers who aren’t familiar with Chicago and Illinois politics, I highly recommend reading about a trial of ComEd big-shots for bribing pols and their bagmen to get the Illinois Legislature to pass bills favorable to the electric utility.
That’s a standard and unsurprising scenario in the Chicago and Illinois Way of corruption. What makes this trial so fascinating is that Michael Madigan, the kingpin sitting atop of the steaming pile of corrupt politicians, is the trial’s centerpiece.
Madigan, awaiting trail on his own corruption charges, was the country’s longest-serving state house speaker, head of the state’s Democratic Party, leader of Democratic supermajorities in both legislative houses, dispenser of heaps of campaign money and a nasty dictator feared by everyone in his own party and all around kingfish. He has been described as iron-fisted, slick and vengeful. He ruled by “fear and intimidation.”
The trial is expected to continue for weeks, but just in the first few days, insiders have testified how no one dared to defy Madigan. Because he controlled campaign cash, other Dems sheepishly did his bidding, while on bended knee.
One Democratic legislator who dared vote contrary to Madigan’s dictates found himself in the party primary election facing an opponent who was showered with Madigan’s campaign cash. Say bye-bye.
Jurors heard testimony about how Madigan’s gofer could intimidate a multibillion-dollar company, extracting cash and membership on the company’s board of directors. All of it under the implied threat of retaliation by Madigan.
That, I imagine, will just be the start.
What’s amazing is that nothing’s really new about this. This kind of hijinks in Chicago and Illinois has become the stuff of legends. Even amusing. And knowing this, Chicago and Illinois voters can be counted on to ultimately support the corruption by electing and re-electing these gonifs.
The result has been crime, high taxes, colossal indebtedness, lousy schools, corruption, incompetence and more. Exactly what the majority apparently wants.
A footnote: Chicagoans have an opportunity to turn a corner. A new mayor will be elected in a couple of weeks to replace the clownish Lori Lightfoot. Running is Paul Vallas, a proven competent and honest opponent. Opposing him is a Chicago Teachers Union organizer who will turn over the town more completely to the selfish labor union. We shall see.