Prairie State Wire

Gov. J.B. Pritzker was discussed in notes released in the federal racketeering indictment against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. 

Noted as the "Future Governor of Illinois" in the indictment, Madigan insiders described granting a six-figure job through the governor to a politically connected Chicago alderman. 

"(a) MADIGAN explained that he would assist Alderman A in obtaining an appointment to a State board that would pay him over $100,000 a year; (b) MADIGAN explained that he would assist Alderman A in obtaining an appointment to a State board by "go[ing] to [the future Governor of the State of Illinois]. That’s what I would do….So you’d come in as the future governor’s recommendation," the indictment reads. 

Alderman A has been identified as Danny Solis, who was central to the investigation into Madigan.

Pritzker was outed for hiring 35 people off a so-called "clout list" linked to Madigan. 

Pritzker was tightly bound with Madigan before the former speaker made a scandal-ridden exit in early 2021. 

In the 2018 election cycle, Prtizker, a multi-billionaire, gave Madigan $7 million in campaign funds. 

During the investigation, Pritzker also spoke with federal agents. 

"He answered every question they posed and we encourage you to ask federal authorities for any additional details that they are willing to provide," a statement provided by Pritzker’s team to NBC5 Chicago reads. "Federal law enforcement asked the Governor to provide information with regard to his interactions with former Speaker Madigan. He was pleased to cooperate and provide information."

Pritzker himself is having trouble with critics calling for an investigation over profiteering from investments in state contractors. 

The interest has centered on his trust’s involvement in Centene Corp., which made $2.6 billion in state Medicaid contracts in the first half of 2021. 

"(This) demonstrates the pitfalls of a blind-trust arrangement that still leaves the nation’s richest governor open to potential conflicts of interest," the Better Government Association reported.