Special Illinois House committee meets Tuesday

Posted on September 24, 2020
Special Investigating Committee chairman State Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside). (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – We are getting an idea of what to expect at the next hearing of that Illinois House committee investigating Commonwealth Edison and its alleged connection to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

In a letter to Special Investigating Committee chairman State Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside), House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) says he will act as a prosecutor Tuesday – with a representative of Commonwealth Edison taking questions. It’s unclear whether Madigan intends to be there, and Durkin did not name the Com Ed executive.

The committee, split evenly among the two parties, is looking into the utility giant and its deferred prosecution agreement under which it’s paid $200 million. The whole thing implicates the speaker, who has not been charged, with Com Ed being investigated for trying to bribe its way into favorable legislation.

Madigan, denying any wrongdoing, said legislation has to pass two chambers and be signed by the governor.

Durkin+letter+to+Welch+re+9-29+hearing

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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