I can't stand the guy who runs this site,

Feds’ ComEd Bribery Case Implicates Mike Madigan; Speaker’s Office Subpoenaed; Governor Says Madigan ‘Must Resign’ If Allegations Are True.

Following months of speculation about a wide-ranging investigation, federal prosecutors have charged ComEd with a years-long bribery scheme involving the company’s arrangement for jobs, contracts, and payments to allies and associates of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/07/17/feds-implicate-house-speaker-mike-madigan-in-bribery-case-against-comed/

ComEd will pay a $200 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement to end the federal probe, admitting it sought to influence “Public Official A” — identified as the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives without using Madigan’s name — by arranging for his allies and people who performed political work for him to obtain jobs, contracts and payments from ComEd between 2011 and 2019.

“ComEd understood that, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Public Official A was able to exercise control over what measures were called for a vote in the House of Representatives and had substantial influence and control over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation, including legislation that affected ComEd,” federal prosecutors wrote in court filings.

ComEd faces a single charge of bribery. Madigan, 78, has not been charged with a crime.

Madigan, who also chairs the Illinois Democratic Party, was nowhere to be found on Friday, either at his district office or his Southwest Side home, but a spokesperson confirmed the speaker accepted federal subpoenas for various documents. In a statement Friday afternoon, Madigan spokeswoman Maura Possley said the subpoenas sought “among other things, documents related to possible job recommendations.”

Possley said Madigan will cooperate with the subpoenas, and believes the documents sought will prove “he has done nothing criminal or improper.”

“The Speaker has never helped someone find a job with the expectation that the person would not be asked to perform work by their employer, nor did he ever expect to provide anything to a prospective employer if it should choose to hire a person he recommended. He has never made a legislative decision with improper motives and has engaged in no wrongdoing here. Any claim to the contrary is unfounded,” Possley wrote in an email.

Gov. JB Pritzker said, if the allegations involving Madigan are true, “there is no question that he will have betrayed the public trust and he must resign, therefore.”

“I am deeply troubled, and frankly I’m furious with what is being reported,” he said. “The speaker has a lot he needs to answer for; to authorities, to investigators, and most importantly to the people of Illinois. These allegations strike at the core of what public service means. It’s a high calling, public service. It’s a high calling, one in which we serve with a sacred trust to put the people first.”

The governor urged Madigan to fully cooperate with the investigation. Madigan’s office has not responded to requests for comment. Madigan is the longest serving house speaker in the nation, having served as Illinois House Speaker for all but two years since 1983.

FBI Chicago Special Agent In Charge Emmerson Buie said the charges demonstrate the extent of the potential reach of public corruption.

“If left unchecked, it doesn’t just affect areas most people associate with corruption, but can infiltrate businesses and corporations, and trickle down to the customers those corporations serve,” he said Friday afternoon.

The feds say ComEd admitted attempting to influence legislation regarding the regulatory process that determines the rates it is allowed to charge customers for electricity. ComEd acknowledged it stood to benefit by more than $150 million from that legislation.

ComEd will pay a $200 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement to end the federal probe, admitting it sought to influence “Public Official A” — identified as the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives without using Madigan’s name — by arranging for his allies and people who performed political work for him to obtain jobs, contracts and payments from ComEd between 2011 and 2019.

ComEd had a slogan back in the 60s and 70s, It went like this, "Little Bill".

And you better believe they will pass this $200 million fine along to their customers. It sure will not affect the shareholders. ;)

The regulators have to give permission to raise rates.

I'm sure they could get something approved if they really tried.

That is why they have accountants. ;)