Power, Patronage, and Pay-to-Play: Madigan’s Conviction Exposes Illinois’ Broken System
For decades, former House Speaker Michael Madigan ran Illinois like a criminal enterprise, prioritizing power, patronage, and pay-to-play politics over the public good. His conviction on corruption charges last week marks a historic moment in the state’s long battle with political misconduct—a victory for justice that also underscores the urgent need for long-overdue reforms in Illinois government.
As both Speaker of the Illinois House and Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, Madigan wielded immense influence, operating what critics have called a political crime syndicate built on backroom deals, patronage, and cronyism—all at taxpayers’ expense. His conviction is both a reckoning and a stark reminder of the deeply entrenched corruption that has plagued Illinois for decades.
Illinois has been marred by corruption scandals at every level of government, wasting taxpayer dollars, eroding public trust, and empowering political insiders at the expense of hardworking families. From governors to local officials, a legacy of self-dealing and political misconduct has weakened governance and hindered the state’s progress.
Upon learning of the verdict on Wednesday, I issued this press statement:
“Justice was indeed served today in the case of the United States of America vs. Michael J. Madigan when the jury sent a clear message that public policy is not for sale in the State of Illinois. As Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, Madigan ruled over a criminal enterprise that enriched not only himself, both also those loyal to him who were willing to do his bidding.
“While Mike Madigan and his allies benefitted financially from his criminal acts, it was the people of Illinois who were left behind due to stagnant economic growth and skyrocketing property taxes that were a direct result of his quid pro quo leadership style.
“This ruling ends a dark chapter in Illinois history, but make no mistake, there is a great deal of work that needs to be done to strengthen ethical standards for those serving in the public realm. Significantly stronger accountability measures must be enacted to prevent these illegal acts from ever occurring again in the Land of Lincoln and I invite every member of the General Assembly to join me in making ethics reform a vital element of this year’s session work.”
Senate Republicans Hope for Fiscal Responsibility Ahead of Pritzker’s Budget Address
As Governor JB Pritzker prepares to deliver his budget address on Wednesday, Senate Republicans are urging him to focus on fiscal responsibility and sustainable solutions for the state’s financial challenges.
State spending has grown at a rapid pace under Governor Pritzker, largely fueled by federal COVID funds and one-time revenues. Now Illinois is facing an estimated $3.2 billion budget deficit.
During the previous year, the Governor balanced the budget while signing into law around a billion dollars in tax hikes. Meanwhile, the state has been spending more than $1 billion per year on programs for non-citizens, including free healthcare.
During media appearances, the Governor had said that tax hikes were off the table but just a week later said they could be a “last resort.”
I fear the Governor plans to once again raise taxes on Illinois families to cover reckless spending programs. The people of Illinois are already struggling and I am calling on the Governor to commit to not raising taxes.
As Illinois Awaits Budget Address, Wilcox Publishes Opinion Piece on Protecting Vital Funds
When the Governor gives his address on Wednesday, I will be listening closely for his comments on how he plans to close a gaping budget hole. I worry that the Governor will continue with his trend of sweeping funds earmarked for local municipalities and will channel even more of these funds toward the state budget.
Last week Shaw Media and the Northwest Herald published an opinion piece I wrote about the importance of preserving these funds. Here is the editorial:
Illinois is heading into a fiscal storm in 2025, facing a trifecta of challenges that could have mammoth consequences for both the state and its municipalities. The Governor’s Office of Management & Budget (GOMB) has predicted a $3.2 billion budget deficit for the next fiscal year. At the same time, public transit leaders are sounding alarms about a $750 million fiscal cliff by 2026. Additionally, a recent report from Illinois’ nonpartisan Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability (COGFA) reveals that proposed Tier II pension reforms could saddle Illinois taxpayers with an additional $30 billion in costs through 2045.
Any one of these issues would be difficult to manage, but the convergence of all three simultaneously presents a colossal challenge. This is especially true for tax-and-spend Democrats, who have repeatedly been warned by Republicans to curb and prioritize spending. Despite our calls for fiscal responsibility, Democrats have increased state spending by a staggering 30% under Governor Pritzker. Additionally, with full knowledge of this looming fiscal crisis, there were no discussions whatsoever during the recent veto session about reining in government spending.
One area that must be shielded from the fallout is the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF). The LGDF represents a crucial partnership between the state and local governments, ensuring municipalities receive a share of state income tax revenues to support essential services like police, fire, and road maintenance. The fund is supposed to return 10% of income tax revenues to local governments, but past governors and now Governor Pritzker have routinely broken this promise, siphoning off a portion of the funds to balance his own budget. Right now, municipalities are receiving just 6.47% of the promised 10%.
In a move that further burdens local governments, Governor Pritzker recently eliminated the state’s grocery tax. Democrats touted it as a “win” for taxpayers, but this “victory” came at the expense of municipalities. By shifting this burden to local governments, the state simply passed the buck, leaving local units of government to raise property taxes to fill the gap. Illinoisans are already saddled with the second-highest property tax burden in the country.
If the majority party was willing to eliminate the grocery tax without a second thought, it’s easy to imagine they might consider further reductions or the elimination of the LGDF. Any additional cuts to or elimination of the LGDF would only increase pressure on local governments, causing them to raise local taxes or reduce essential services.
When Governor Pritzker presents his annual Budget Address in February, I will be listening closely for his pledge to leave the LGDF untouched. These revenues are a lifeline for municipalities, particularly as local leaders grapple with their own strained budgets. Rather than taking more and more of these funds that are earmarked for local use, lawmakers must tighten the belt and focus on real, sustainable solutions to the state’s budget crisis.
Any further cuts to the LGDF should be unequivocally off the table. It’s time for the General Assembly to prioritize the fiscal health of Illinois without sacrificing the ability of local governments to serve their communities.
Wilcox Distributes Over 2,500 Valentines
I want to thank everyone who donated valentines for this year’s Valentines for Seniors program. This is truly one of my favorite outreach events of the year because the community really comes together to help spread joy to individuals in nursing homes and assisted living centers who are often lonely.
My staff and I made a total of 31 stops at senior facilities throughout the 32nd Senate District in McHenry and Lake Counties, and once again, the smiles on the seniors’ faces were priceless as we made sure they knew how valued and appreciated they are. We also made a few surprise stops at veterans’ facilities, and they were so happy to see us and to receive valentines!