The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) gave the Friends of Michael J. Madigan political committee $100,000 in contributions Thursday, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections’ website. Breitbart News initially reported a previous $97k SEIU donation to Madigan, given the same day the State House derailed public employee pension reforms pushed by Republicans.
Between Illinois House Speaker/Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan and State Senate President John Cullerton, the SEIU delivered $242,000 in donations in the days leading up to an Illinois General Assembly Special Session on Pension Reform.
The Illinois Republican Party is calling for a federal investigation of the timing of the donations.
“Mike Madigan has doubled down on pension reform – and sadly Illinois taxpayers are the losers,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady. “Today’s disclosure proves Mike Madigan has no shame and, despite his rhetoric, no interest in fiscal reform.”
On Aug. 17, the same day as the Special Session on pension reform, the SEIU gave $47,000 and another $50,000 to the Democratic Majority, chaired by Madigan and tasked with electing Democratic State House members.
SEIU money appears to be flowing freely to prominent Illinois Democrats to hold back popular reforms to address the state’s debt crisis driven by public employee pension deficits.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.