Rep. Batinick: Madigan is finally being held accountable

State Rep. Mark Batinick reacted to the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in a $3 million bribery scheme.

Batinick, R-Plainfield, was one of the most fervent and outspoken critics of Madigan when he was in office and the most powerful politician in the state.

Madigan, 79, was charged Wednesday in a 22-count indictment with racketeering, conspiracy, using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion.

“Mike Madigan is finally being held accountable for the years of corruption that created a pervasive and notorious culture of corruption in Springfield,” Batinick said in a statement. “As the first sitting state representative to call for his resignation in December 2019, this day is encouraging that we will not tolerate this toxic culture of backroom deals and bribery anymore in Illinois.”

Batinick was one of the leading Republicans pointing to Madigan as the key figure holding up legislation to reform the state’s ethics laws and revamp its fiscal difficulties.

Madigan, who resigned from the legislature last year, was the longest-serving state House speaker in modern U.S. history and was nicknamed the “Velvet Hammer” for his insistence on strict party discipline. He also was the chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

In a written statement, Madigan “adamantly” denied the accusations.

“I was never involved in any criminal activity,” he said.