(The Center Square) – A group of attorneys who filed a civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act case against House Speaker Michael Madigan and ComEd want to remove the speaker from power.
Prosecutors sometimes use the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in cases involving the mob.
One of the attorneys who brought a civil RICO lawsuit in federal court against Madigan and ComEd seeking $450 million said that jury trial could take years. But they are looking for more immediate steps against Madigan in the weeks ahead.
Attorney Stuart Chanen said first and foremost they’re looking for ratepayers to be compensated.
“Although ComEd filed a $200 million criminal fine, none of that money goes back to consumers, to customers, so that’s the primary reason we filed the lawsuit,” Chanen said.
A spokesperson from ComEd said the company apologized for past conduct, but that doesn’t mean consumers were harmed.
“The improper conduct described in the deferred prosecution agreement, however, does not mean that consumers were harmed by the legislation that was passed in Illinois,” said Paul Elsberg, vice president of communications for ComEd. “In large part as a result of legislative action in Illinois, ComEd has made some of the largest improvements in service at the best value of any utility serving a U.S. major metro area. This in no way excuses the conduct described in the DPA, but that is a distinct issue from the effect of the legislation for ComEd’s customers.”
Chanen said it could take a while to sort through.
“A civil case like this has a pretty long timeframe although we do expect to be heard by a judge on the two Madigan issues in the next week or two,” Chanen said.
Chanen said they want an injunction to prevent Madigan from serving as the leader of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
“If the Democratic Party of Illinois is being run as a corrupt organization and ComEd’s admission certainly suggests that it is, then Speaker Madigan has no business continuing to be at the helm of that organization,” Chanen said.
Messages seeking comment from the Democratic Party of Illinois were not returned.
The lawsuit also seeks to issue an injunction against Madigan from being involved in future energy legislation, Chanen said.
“It’s just dangerous for the citizens of Illinois, dangerous for the consumer of ComEd to have him in that position especially with pending legislation that could have this huge effect on energy supply and electricity supply in our state,” Chanen said.
Madigan has denied wrongdoing. He has not been charged with a crime.
