By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Federal investigators tapped the cell phone of a former state lawmaker-turned-lobbyist with close ties to House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Investigators obtained permission to wiretap former Quincy state Rep. Michael McClain as part of an investigation into the utility’s lobbying practices, according to a Chicago Tribune report. McClain represented ComEd as a lobbyist in Springfield. Federal agents raided McClain home in Quincy in May. He was one of five ComEd lobbyists who sent former Madigan ally Kevin Quinn money after he’d been fired for harassment of a staffer.
A ComEd spokeswoman said the company is cooperating fully with authorities and wouldn’t comment further on the investigation.
McClain served in the House of Representatives with Madigan, including in a leadership capacity for a short time, and is widely considered to be among the Chicago Democrat’s inner-circle. He was a registered lobbyist in the General Assembly representing ComEd and others until his retirement in December 2016, shortly after securing legislation that would have sent hundreds of millions of dollars ComEd’s way in the form of rate hikes. In an unusual appearance, Madigan spoke highly of McClain on the House floor, thanking him for his years of service to the state and his friendship.
Revelations that McClain had been under audio surveillance has raised questions about whether federal investigators are looking into Madigan. Madigan had said that as far as he knows, he is not the target of any investigation. Federal investigators included Madigan’s name in a search warrant for a raid in May at the City Club of Chicago.
A spokesman for Madigan didn’t return requests for comment regarding McClain.
A federal wiretap also signals that federal investigators have uncovered some significant evidence of a crime. Federal justification to have a wiretap installed is a high bar. An application for a court order must be approved by senior Justice Department officials, but only after investigators have probable cause to believe that the wiretap will uncover at least one of a list of offenses, according to the Congressional Research Service.
The Center for Illinois Politics profiled the lobbyists ComEd employed to become one of the most influential companies under the dome.
“ComEd has really learned to flood the field,” Center for Illinois Politics Editor Kerry Kasper said. “They’ve figured out how to donate to all of leadership’s various committees, but also to spread out money among the different parties.”
Kasper’s husband, prominent election attorney and lobbyist Michael Kasper, is a partner in one of the firms used by ComEd. Kasper said the contract existed before her husband joined the firm.
The Center’s report also profiled a number of other former lobbyists, including former Republicans and leaders of state committees that would have approved of legislation important to ComEd’s success.
Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected].
