South Cook News

Orland Park village trustee Jim Dodge insists there are no coincidences when it comes to how things typically play out in Springfield.

Dodge cites as an example the fact that four municipalities targeted in an ongoing federal corruption investigation – McCook, Lyons, Schiller Park and Summit – have contracted with a firm where the son of powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) works as a senior vice president securing insurance deals with local governments. Illinois Policy Institute adds that various local government leaders with pressing issues in front of the Illinois House have also done business with Andrew Madigan or Alliant/Mesirow Insurance Services.

“This kind of thing has been going on for years in Illinois politics and is not a well-kept secret,” Dodge told the South Cook News. “It’s a business opportunity for them and the way it works in Illinois is about influence and who you know. I’m convinced these types of business relationships and side deals have been going on for years.”

Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago)

All four of the raids took place soon after federal authorities executed search warrants on the home and government office of Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), who until recently also served as chairman of the powerful Illinois Senate Transportation Committee. Sandoval was a driving force in aiding Gov. J.B. Pritzker successfully pushing through his $45 billion capital plan that led to the doubling of the state gas tax and an assortment of other tax hikes and fee increases.

“You have this level of influence that ultimately makes the cost of government a lot higher than it needs to be and explains why taxes are so high and the state is so broke,” Dodge said. “Until you root out this form of corruption, you won’t see Illinois’ financial future get better. It should not surprise anyone in Illinois that there is a connection between all of these things.”