(The Center Square) — If passed into law, an Illinois House bill will prohibit public utilities from giving campaign donations to political candidates.
State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid’s bill from Bridgeview has garnered backing from the Citizens Utility Board and their governmental affairs director, Bryan McDaniel.
"This would ensure that utility companies, including those providing water, gas, and sewage services, cannot contribute financially to candidates running for municipal or state offices," McDaniel explained to The Center Square.
This legislation would additionally prohibit contributions to political action committees set up to back candidates. It has garnered three co-sponsors so far.
"So this refers to HB 1621. I must say, it would be fantastic if that bill could get approved. Only time will tell," McDaniel stated.
Recently, ComEd along with other utility companies has come under scrutiny from federal agencies as part of several high-profile corruption cases. This includes the trial and sentencing of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
On February 12, a jury found Madigan guilty of 10 charges including bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and using facilities for illegal activities. Out of these 10 charges, four were specifically linked to ComEd.
Madigan is set to be sentenced on June 13. Attorneys for the federal government are additionally requesting $3.14 million in forfeitures from the ex-speaker. This sum encompasses payments made to ComEd subcontractors who were aligned with Madigan politically. Prosecutors argue these payments constituted bribes.
Regarding the connected ComEd Four case, four individuals were found guilty of corruption charges in 2023, with ComEd consenting to pay a fine of $200 million as part of a deferred prosecution arrangement.
The sentencing hearings for the four individuals involved with ComED are set for July and August.
Connie Mixon, a professor of political science and the director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, finds the corruption cases distressing both as someone studying politics and as an advocate for good governance.
"There are legal measures that could address much of this corruption, but our General Assembly appears uninterested or lacks the urgency needed to push for legislative changes," Mixon stated to The Center Square.
Rashid's proposal is presently with the Illinois House Rules Committee.