Grundy Reporter

Sue Rezin, Illinois State Senate District 38 Senator, said that the conviction of Michael Madigan in his federal trial was a step toward accountability but emphasized that the system enabling his abuse of power remains intact. She made this statement on Facebook on February 12.

"Michael Madigan spent decades building and protecting a corrupt political machine that put personal and political gain ahead of taxpayers," said Rezin, State Senator, according to Facebook. "His conviction is a step toward accountability, but the system that allowed his abuse of power still remains in place. Illinois needs real ethics reform to prevent this kind of corruption from happening again."

The Facebook post referenced an article from the Chicago Sun-Times, which reported on the mixed verdict in Madigan's federal trial. The jury found him guilty of bribery conspiracy involving Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and a plot to place former 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis on a state board in exchange for steering business to Madigan’s law firm. He was acquitted of attempted extortion and other charges. The jury could not agree on six charges, including whether Madigan was guilty of racketeering conspiracy. He was convicted on ten charges, with no sentencing hearing scheduled yet, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Screenshot of State Senator Sue Rezin's Feb. 12 Facebook post. | State senator Sue Rezin's Facebook page.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the jury could not reach a verdict on six charges against co-defendant Michael McClain and deadlocked on 12 of the 23 charges against Madigan. The trial lasted over four months and featured testimony from more than 60 witnesses, including nearly a decade’s worth of evidence. This evidence included testimony from a 25th Ward alderman who wore a wire and provided information to the FBI. Madigan also testified in his defense, denying some schemes and evidence while explaining others.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Michael Madigan's conviction in a February 12 news release. Madigan could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud and up to ten years for each count of bribery. Additionally, he could face a maximum sentence of five years for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.

Rezin was appointed to the Illinois State Senate in December 2010 and has represented the 38th Senate District since then. In 2021, she became the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate Republican Caucus. Rezin played a key role in launching an Operations Engineering and Technician technical program at Joliet Junior College in 2015 by collaborating with local employers. She holds a degree in International Business and Political Science from Augustana College and has co-owned and managed her family’s real estate company.