Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024

The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a woman who called herself “super mayor” and a collection of other self-serving public servants are among the highest-profile corruption cases in decades. Here’s the naughty list for 2024.

While most Illinoisans are preparing to share gifts, multiple probes into Illinois corruption remind us just how many powerful public servants wanted to receive gifts in 2024.

Ranked as the second-most corrupt state in the nation, Illinois’ corrupt politicians stand out in a crowded field for exploiting taxpayers’ good will. Here are some notable public corruption and misconduct cases from 2024.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

The nearly two-month-long federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, is predicted to come to a close in mid-January 2025.

Madigan is under indictment on 23-counts, including federal racketeering and bribery charges. Prosecutors allege Madigan ran a criminal enterprise, exchanging influence on key legislation for job opportunities for constituents and other allies.

The former speaker and his longtime political operative, Michael McClain, are accused of pressuring developers to hire Madigan’s law firm as well as conspiring with Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois to provide no-work jobs for the speaker’s associates in return for legislative support in Springfield.

Court documents state Madigan netted $2.85 million in illegitimate funds.

Madigan’s current corruption trial follows a more than decade-long federal investigation into the former speaker that led to at least 21 individuals and businesses facing related criminal charges.

Madigan allies, including McClain, his former chief of staff and the “ComEd Four,” were found guilty by a federal court in 2023 in connection with Madigan’s patronage hiring scheme.

But Madigan denies all of it. He claimed jobs were given to his constituents because of good recommendations, not illegal influence.

Former state lawmaker Michael McClain

Former state lawmaker and longtime Springfield lobbyist Michael McClain is currently facing trial for a second time in the past two years for conspiring with Madigan to commit bribery and racketeering. McClain was Madigan’s long-time confidant and fixer.

McClain is currently facing trial on a 23-count indictment, including federal racketeering, bribery and wire fraud charges alongside his codefendant and longtime political ally, Madigan. McClain has pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

McClain also denied wrongdoing as a defendant in the “ComEd Four” case before being found guilty in May 2023. He was convicted on all charges of conspiring to influence and reward Madigan for helping pass legislation favorable to Commonwealth Edison in Springfield.

Former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke

Once considered the most powerful alderman in Chicago, former 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million in June 2024 after being convicted on all but one of the 14 counts of racketeering, attempted bribery, attempted extortion and other crimes.

Burke used his aldermanic powers and city finance committee chairmanship to divert business to his private tax law firm, Klafter & Burke, and shake down groups attempting to work with City Hall. The cigar-chomping, pinstripe-suited politician was in power for five decades.

The cases included threatening to block a proposed fee increase at the Field Museum, shaking down owners of a Burger King in his ward, accepting contracts for his personal law firm in return for support in the city council and blocking approval of the Chicago Post Office redevelopment until Klafter & Burke was hired by the developers.

Thornton Township Supervisor and Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard

Mayor of the village of Dolton and Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard has become the focus of a wide-ranging federal investigation following initial accusations that Henyard had misused taxpayer dollars to fund personal expenditures and lavish trips.

The FBI issued subpoenas naming Henyard as well her political committee, cancer charity, boyfriend, relatives, deputy police chief and village trustee allies. The investigation is currently underway.

Village trustees also hired former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to conduct an independent investigation of Henyard and her spending, overriding a veto issued by Henyard to stop the probe.

Lightfoot found Dolton had accrued $3.65 million in debt under Henyard despite the village reporting a $5.6 million surplus before the self-dubbed “super mayor” entered office in 2021.

Henyard’s top aide for both Thornton Township and the Village of Dolton, as well as the Dolton deputy police chief, have since been indicted for bankruptcy fraud.

Former state Sen. Sam McCann

Former Illinois state Sen. Samuel McCann pled guilty to seven counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering and one count of tax evasion in February 2024 in a scheme to convert more than $600,000 in campaign contributions for his personal use.

McCann admitted to trying to convert the contributions and donations made to his campaign committee between 2015 and 2020. The former Illinois senator was sentenced to 42 months in prison in July and order to pay over $680,000 in restitution.

Former state Sen. Terry Link

Former Illinois state Sen. Terry Link was sentenced to three years of probation in March 2024 for failing to pay taxes on more than $73,000 in campaign funds he used to pay for personal expenses as well as underreporting his income.

Link pled guilty to the crimes in September 2020 and entered a deal with federal prosecutors to wear a wire in return for a reduced sentence. Link’s cooperation ultimately helped the FBI uncover a bribery scheme involving state Rep. Luis Arroyo and Chicago businessman James Weiss.

Ford Heights Mayor Charles Griffin

Ford Heights Mayor Charles Griffin was found guilty in September 2024 of using more than $10,000 from the village’s general fund for “his own personal and economic benefit” nearly six years after he was charged.

The judge found Griffin stole between $10,000 and $100,000 from Ford Heights between 2015 and 2017. Griffin resigned as mayor shortly after he was found guilty.

Other public corruption

• Former state representative and senator Annazette Collins sentenced to one year in prison for filing false tax returns and not filing returns for her personal income or consulting business.
• Federal prosecutors indicted Anson Fenton, the former police chief of Wayne City, on charges of selling items confiscated by the police department for his personal benefit.
• Illinois state employees in over 275 instances filed $7.2 million in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program claims taken from federal pandemic funds.
• Senior administrator for Thornton Township and the Village of Dolton, Keith Freeman, indicted on bankruptcy fraud.
• Dolton deputy police chief Lewis Lacey indicted for bankruptcy fraud, perjury.

Corruption costs Illinois

Government corruption cost Illinoisans $550 million in lost economic activity every year, with a $9.9 billion total loss from 2000 to 2017. Chicago is even worse.

Chicago was ranked as the most corrupt metropolitan area in America for a fourth consecutive year in 2023. It led the nation with an average 41 corruption convictions per year from 1976 to 2021.

Whether in treasure or trust, corruption costs Illinois. Vigorous federal prosecution can help curb it, but not much will change until state leaders get serious about ethics reforms.