The Republican Testimony Wish List
Madigan confidant and former State Representative Mike McClain. (Photo: WBEZ)
The three Republican members of the House Special Investigative Committee looking into House Speaker Michael Madigan and his role in a Commonwealth Edison bribery scandal have submitted a list of targets for testimony, though it’s not clear if some or any will ever appear before the committee.
Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) submitted the list to committee Chairman Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hilside) during the first hearing Thursday. Welch entered the request into the official record of the committee but did not commit to inviting any person on the list to testify.
House Republicans provided the list to The Illinoize. The for voluntary witness list includes:
House Speaker Michael Madigan, who Governor Pritzker has called on to “speak up” about his role in the bribery scheme.
Mike McClain, a former State Representative from Quincy and close Madigan confidant, who had his home raided by authorities in connection to bribery investigations.
Anne Pramaggiore, former CEO of ComEd parent company Exelon, who retired abruptly amid the federal investigation.
Fidel Marquez, a former ComEd executive who was charged Friday for his role in the bribery scheme.
John Hooker, a former ComEd lobbyist implicated in the bribery scheme.
Jay Doherty, a former ComEd lobbyist and City Club of Chicago President who resigned that post after his office was raided by authorities in May. (Disclosure: I am a former City Club member, but have never met Mr. Doherty.)
Michael R. Zalewski, a close Madigan ally and former Chicago Alderman who also had his home raided by the FBI. He is the father of State Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside).
Republicans have not committed to requesting subpoenas if those on the list don’t testify.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” said the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) at a news conference Wednesday.
Madigan has been publicly silent since an initial statement calling the formation of the committee a “political stunt” by Republicans.
If Republicans request subpoenas, its likely one Democrat on the committee would have to join them. Two of the Democrats on the committee are on Madigan’s leadership team, and the Chairman, Welch chairs the Senate Executive Committee. Madigan traditionally installs a close ally to run the committee.
While the Republican wish list may be extensive, it’s hard to know how many of those requested will ever actually testify before the committee.