Madigan’s presence felt as lawyers in ComEd bribery case hint more charges on the way

Chicago Tribune – Near the end of a routine status hearing, an attorney for Michael McClain of Quincy, a longtime Madigan confidant accused of orchestrating the bribery scheme, said it would be difficult to discuss a trial date for the case because “there has been some at least intimations that the government might be seeking a superseding indictment in this matter.”

A superseding indictment typically brings new defendants to an existing case, though sometimes they add only new charges for those already named.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said her office was not in a position to comment on whether a new indictment was coming.

The discussion was the first formal indication that the investigation that rocked Springfield when it came to light in 2019 is still very active.

At least two former Illinois House Democrats have gone before the federal grand jury within the last week to explain the full scope of Madigan’s power and control of the legislative process while he was speaker, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

At least one of the lawmakers had changed a vote on the House floor that opposed a key piece of ComEd legislation and then supported Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of the measure, a source said.

The ex-lawmakers themselves were not accused of doing anything improper but were asked a series of questions about the basic way the House operated under Madigan, a source said.

In addition, a third former lawmaker told the Tribune they were recently interviewed by federal authorities, and said questions included “Madigan’s role in the process” about ComEd and other issues.

Attorney Michael Monico, who represents former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, pressed the issue, after Streicker declined to elaborate on the government’s further plans in the case.

“We know they are still investigating,” Monico told U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber. “We know they are apparently on the brink of a superseding indictment. When are they going to tell us?”