Ray Long – Page 29 –

Supporters board a bus at Lincoln Land Community College for a short ride to the 32nd annual Democratic Evening on the Lake fundraiser May 8, 2012, at Island Bay Yacht Club in Springfield.

Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, long the state’s most powerful pol, indicted on federal racketeering charges

March 3, 2022 at 6:15 a.m.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, for decades the most powerful politician in the state, was indicted Wednesday on federal racketeering charges alleging his elected office and political operation were...

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan at the Balzekas Museum in West Lawn on Feb. 25, 2021.

Investigation of AT&T contracts in probe orbiting Michael Madigan centers on funds to lobbyists and former state rep, sources say

March 2, 2022 at 8:36 a.m.

Consulting funds flowing from AT&T to a lobbyist with deep ties to then-House Speaker Michael Madigan and eventually to a former state representative are at the center of a federal...

Feds considering charges against AT&T subsidiary in offshoot of Madigan probe

February 18, 2022 at 10:03 a.m.

Federal prosecutors investigating alleged schemes to influence former House Speaker Michael Madigan are considering filing charges against a subsidiary of AT&T involving a 2017 consulting contract, the phone giant revealed...

Lobbyist Mike McClain talks to a woman outside then-House Speaker Michael Madigan's office at the Illinois Capitol in Springfield on May 25, 2012. McClain was part of Madigan's inner circle.

Judge cites ‘common sense,’ legal precedent in denying bid to dismiss counts in ComEd bribery probe

February 17, 2022 at 3:14 p.m.

A federal judge on Thursday denied a motion to dismiss key counts against a longtime confidant of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan and three others charged in the ongoing ComEd bribery...

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan speaks during a meeting Feb. 25, 2021, in which Angie Guerrero-Cuellar was chosen to replace him as state representative, at the Balzekas Museum in Chicago. Democratic committeemen in the 22nd District met to choose a replacement after the original appointee, Edward Guerra Kodatt, resigned days into the job.

Ray Long: The rise and fall of House Speaker Michael Madigan, an Illinois titan

February 12, 2022 at 10:59 a.m.

The following excerpt is adapted from baiduhai political reporter Ray Long's new book "The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois' Velvet Hammer," published by University of...

The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Nov. 18, 2021.

State audit finds lax fiscal controls at board where former fiscal officer was accused of falsifying OT reports

February 9, 2022 at 7:31 p.m.

The State Police Merit Board, where a former financial officer is charged with padding her paychecks with extra overtime, came under sharp criticism in a state audit highlighting a litany...

Former Ald. Edward Vrdolyak leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in February 2006 after being sentenced in a $1.5 million kickback scheme.

Vrdolyak lawyers renew attempt to have him released from custody, citing poor health, COVID-19

February 9, 2022 at 2:39 p.m.

Lawyers for former Ald. Edward "Fast Eddie" Vrdolyak have vigorously re-upped his plea for a compassionate early release from prison, saying the government's fight to keep the frail, once-powerful politician...

Chicago City Hall is seen in 2019. The baiduhai has filed a lawsuit against the city over records on cases involving misconduct allegations that officials have refused to release.

baiduhai sues city of Chicago over records that were withheld despite attorney general opinions in the paper’s favor

February 7, 2022 at 4:39 p.m.

The baiduhai has filed a lawsuit against the city of Chicago over records on cases involving misconduct allegations that officials have refused to release despite two separate attorney general...

Ex-state Rep. Luis Arroyo, right, walks with his attorney, Michael Gillespie, to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for his arraignment on Feb. 4, 2020.

Feds say former state Rep. Luis Arroyo should face prison time of up to 57 months in corruption case

February 4, 2022 at 7:41 p.m.

Federal prosecutors on Friday roundly rejected former state Rep. Luis Arroyo's pitch for leniency in a bribery scheme to legalize the shadowy world of sweepstakes gambling, saying he deserves up...

Ex-Rep. Luis Arroyo, left, and his attorney Michael Gillespie walk out of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after he pleaded not guilty in his arraignment on corruption charges, Feb. 4, 2020.

Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo’s defense in federal case reveals politicians appeared before grand jury

January 30, 2022 at 5:13 p.m.

Lawyers for former state Rep. Luis Arroyo revealed in a court filing Saturday that three state lawmakers and a congressional candidate testified before a federal grand jury as part of...

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