State Senator Arellano, Jr (R-Dixon) has released the following statement regarding the sentencing of former House Speaker Michael Madigan:
“Justice was finally delivered in Illinois today. Former House Speaker Michael Madigan has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for public corruption. This marks a long-overdue reckoning for one of the most powerful, and most damaging, political figures in our state’s history.
“Corruption costs plague Illinois politics, which is exactly why I stepped into public service. I saw it as a small business owner in Dixon during the $53 million Rita Crundwell scandal, and ran for Mayor to clean up the incredible damage. I saw it again just last month when a Rock Island County employee stole more than $900,000 from taxpayers. And now as a State Senator, I’m seeing first-hand the consequences of Madigan’s decades-long grip on power and the corrupt culture he fostered in Springfield.
“We can’t just sit back and hope the system corrects itself. The system is broken, and our families and communities continue to pay the price.
“It’s time for real reform—not empty promises. That’s why I’m calling for bold, meaningful changes: independent oversight, a fair map Constitutional amendment, tighter revolving door laws, mandatory spot audits of public accounts, and modern fraud detection tools that stop abuse before it happens.
“But let’s be bluntly honest, Democratic leaders have not pursued serious ethics reform since Madigan’s indictment in 2022. Not a single measure to clean up the General Assembly has passed.
“Illinois deserves better. You deserve a system that’s transparent, accountable, and worthy of the people it serves.
“I will keep working every day to represent the 37th District with integrity and to hold all elected officials to the highest standard. The days of turning a blind eye to corruption must end.”