SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) issued the following statement in response to the guilty verdict in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan:
“Today’s verdict confirms what Illinoisans have known for years – Michael Madigan and the corrupt Democratic political machine put power and personal gain ahead of the people they were supposed to serve.
“For decades, Madigan was the face of a system built on patronage, backroom deals, and political favors, all at the expense of hardworking taxpayers. While justice was served today, his conviction should not mark the end of our fight to eliminate the deeply entrenched culture of corruption that still plagues Illinois’ government.
“Senate Republicans have repeatedly introduced ethics reforms to hold public officials accountable, but Democratic leadership has blocked these efforts at every turn. The people of Illinois deserve a government that works for them, not for the politically connected. This conviction should serve as an opportunity to finally enact real reforms that ensure that another Madigan never rises to power again.”