Ties between convicted ex-Speaker Michael J. Madigan, ComEd, and the Madigan insiders who took ComEd bribes upon instructions from the Madigan machine, were at the heart of the former Illinois political kingpin’s trial, conviction, and sentencing in 2025. A key witness in the case, Fidel Marquez, has been sentenced to two years’ probation for his participation in the wrongdoing. The probation sentence was related to Marquez’s agreement to wear a wire.
“Sadly, the corrupt Madigan Way has survived and strengthened in Illinois government, despite all the recent federal convictions,” said State Representative Ryan Spain. “The federal government should not have to keep cleaning up our mess. The people are fed up and frustrated with the way business is done in Illinois. It’s time for the Governor and Illinois Democrats who control state government to hear the message from the people and clean up our state.”
As ComEd’s chief governmental affairs executive, Marquez had been a facilitator of do-nothing ComEd contracts. In these arrangements, Madigan and his inner circle would recommend specific names to ComEd, and ComEd would then contact these people and offer them contracts as ‘coordinators’ and ‘developers.’ It was understood by all parties that no work would be carried out in return for these ComEd payments. When the Madigan case went to the jury, the panel found that ComEd had carried out a massive conspiracy to bribe Madigan. In return for these bribes, the powerful Speaker facilitated the enactment and passage of ComEd-friendly legislation in Springfield.
As this conspiracy went into full operation, the FBI was beginning a program of wiretaps. Defendant Marquez was one of the targets. In January 2019, the FBI confronted Marquez with the wiretapped evidence gathered so far and asked him to switch sides and start wearing a wire, which Marquez did. The evidence gathered by Marquez played a role in the trials of Madigan, chief Madigan ally Mike McClain, and other political figures. As part of Marquez’s testimony and participation, prosecutors agreed to the probation sentence. Sentence on Marquez, which also included a $50,000 fine for his overall participation in the bribery scheme, was passed on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
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