Madigan Trial Moves Forward
The corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan continued during the week as federal prosecutors laid out their case that the political leader engaged in a racketeering and bribery conspiracy.
Opening statements in the landmark trial began on October 21st. Madigan, who was the longest-serving state House Speaker in the nation’s history, has been charged with using his power and influence to enrich himself and his associates. Madigan’s close confidante, former lawmaker turned lobbyist Mike McClain, has also been charged for his role in the alleged criminal enterprise.
Much of the case focuses on alleged bribes made by ComEd and AT&T, in the form of contracts and no-show jobs for Madigan associates. A significant part of the prosecution’s evidence comes from wire-tapped recordings made by disgraced former Chicago alderman Danny Solis.
The defense for Madigan and McClain has so far worked to portray the evidence as nothing more than legal lobbying efforts while trying to discredit witnesses for the prosecution.
Attorneys on both sides have predicted that the trial could last for three months.
Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 – 2021, serving as the House Speaker for all but two years from 1983 – 2021. He announced his retirement from the General Assembly in February of 2021 and was indicted on federal racketeering charges in March of 2022.
Illinois Drivers Reminded to Stay Alert for Deer as Seasons Change
With the changing weather, Illinois motorists are being reminded to be on the look out for deer, particularly at dawn and dusk, through the end of the year.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), 2023 saw 14,862 crashes involving deer, with 663 of these resulting in injuries and seven leading to fatalities. More than 41 percent of deer-related crashes occurred in the months of October, November, and December, with November posing the greatest risk.
As drivers prepare for increased deer activity, IDOT offers several safety tips to help reduce the risk of collisions:
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with deer crossing signs.
- Scan the sides of the road for eye shine – the reflection of headlights in their eyes.
- Slow down if you see a deer and anticipate that others could be following.
- Prepare for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road and not move for oncoming vehicles.
- If a collision is inevitable, don’t veer. Try to glance your vehicle off the deer and avoid swerving into the opposite lanes of traffic or off the road.
If a driver does hit a deer, IDOT recommends pulling off to the shoulder, turning on hazard lights, and calling 911. Drivers are also reminded not to exit their vehicles. For information on claiming a deer from a crash or reporting possession, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) provides resources on its website.
National First Responders Day
October 28th is National First Responders Day, a time to honor the courage and commitment of the men and women who serve on the front lines, protecting and supporting our communities. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, an estimated 4.6 million people serve as career and/or volunteer first responders in the nation. Whether its firefighters rushing into burning buildings, police officers maintaining public safety, or paramedics providing life-saving care, these individuals respond in times of crisis for the safety and well-being of others, often putting their own lives at risk.
State Senator Bennett encourages all Illinoisians to help celebrate National First Responders Day by taking a moment to thank a first responder, honor their contributions, and show them they are appreciated for the work they do in communities throughout the state.
Did You Know?
If you enjoy carving pumpkins for Halloween or baking a pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving table, you can thank an Illinois farmer as the state continues to lead the nation in pumpkin production.
From festive front porches to grocery store shelves, pumpkins are big business for Illinois farmers. The state is home to around 650 pumpkin farms, with the top 10 pumpkin-producing counties including Tazewell, Kankakee, Mason, Logan, Will, Marshall, Kane, Pike, Carroll, and Woodford.
According to the USDA, in 2022 Illinois farmers harvested 17,600 acres of pumpkins—more than twice the acreage of any other top pumpkin-producing state. The most recent data showed Illinois producing over 634 million pounds of pumpkins annually, more than all the other leading states combined. On average, Illinois grows about 37,500 pounds of pumpkins per acre, with 80 percent of the harvest processed into pumpkin puree.
Whether you’re carving a jack-o’-lantern or baking a pie, chances are those pumpkins got their start right here in the Land of Lincoln.
How much do we owe?
As of the time of this writing, the State of Illinois owes $1,378,049,064.27 to state vendors, including 17,438 pending vouchers. This figure represents the amount of bills submitted to the office of the Comptroller and still awaiting payment. It does not include debts that can only be estimated, such as our unfunded pension liability which is subject to a wide range of factors and has been estimated to be more than $139 billion. At the same time last year, the state’s accounts payable stood at a little less than $2 billion.
This Week in the 53rd District
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