Prairie State Wire

A special investigation committee has released over 200 emails and other documentation as it looks into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s involvement in a ComEd bribery scandal. 

Madigan has been under investigation for his alleged involvement in a scheme in which Madigan supporters were paid off in exchange for political favors.  

So far, five people have been charged in the nearly decade-long ComEd scheme. Republicans have pushed for Madigan to be subpoenaed in the case. Republicans also want a comprehensive investigation into Madigan in the legislature.

Federal investigators obtained communications between ComEd and Madigan’s office and also sought documents that were between Madigan’s office and AT&T, Walgreens and Rush Medical Center.

As part of its efforts, the bi-partisan House Special Investigation Committee II has released communications between Illinois Democrats and ComEd. 

Most of the communications believed to involve Madigan make mention of “our friend” which is what ComEd called him.

In one email, between Michael McClain and Fidel Marquez Jr., McCain mentions that, “Our friend said that a [redacted] called [redacted] and told him that a computer position may be opening up soon. He was optimistic.” 

In another email between the two men, McClain mentions that he hated being in the position of telling “our friend” no. 

Another email between two redacted officials also mentions the speaker as “our friend.”

“So I’m going to talk w/them about this and make sure they get that there were issues,” the email says. “Our friend keeps asking if they are providing “competent” work. I tell him that’s a pretty low standard (he agrees) and that we are working to find their highest and best use. My guess is that he has had issues w/them in other places. He was pleased at our creativity on the [redacted] issue.” 

In a 2015 email between McClain and Marquez, McClain seems nervous, saying, “ The Speaker is coming to my office at 5. Fidel, I do not have any answers do I? Help!” 

A 2016 email between Anne Pramaggiore and Marquez focuses on a possible job candidate. 

“Our friend has approached me on (redacted) again,” Pramaggiore wrote in the email. “If you recall you had one on our HR people talk to her a couple years ago. I am not suggesting we offered her a position at that time, just some help. If you recall she decided to stay in teaching. Well, the facts of life have caught up with her and she just cannot live on a school teacher’s salary. Can we have our people look and see if she can fit into any of our slots? I thank you. I have talked to her and she is a very engaging person.”