State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) issued a statement following the verdict in a corruption trial connected to former House Speaker Mike Madigan:
“I have been saying this for a long time, corruption has been a job creator for many politically connected people associated with Democrat lawmakers in Illinois for decades. This verdict proves just that. ComEd received a bailout worth nearly $700 million and yes they paid a hefty fine for their actions, but this kind of corruption is still affecting our state.
In southern Illinois, we are still paying higher electricity rates because of the corruption associated with the individuals found guilty in a court of law. The deals they cut benefited themselves while southern Illinois is still paying for this form of corruption tax. The legislature needs to pass true anti-corruption laws and increase penalties instead of passing watered-down laws they call reform. I hope their sentences will be stiff and we can learn to work together in Springfield to represent all Illinois residents legally and fairly.”