Kane County Reporter

Michael McClain, a former lobbyist for Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and close associate of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme. U.S. District Judge Manish Shah described the relationship between McClain and Madigan as a “criminal alliance,” rejecting claims that McClain’s actions were standard lobbying practices.

“Aligning with Mr. Madigan made good strategic sense from your point of view, but that was a criminal alliance,” Shah said. “You preferred secrecy and lies. You preferred Mr. Madigan. You chose his way, and the consequences of that choice are yours to bear.”

McClain is the third defendant sentenced in the so-called “ComEd Four” case, which involved funneling no-work contracts and perks to Madigan associates in exchange for legislative support. Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore also received a two-year sentence, while John Hooker got 18 months; Jay Doherty will be sentenced next month.

In another development, State Representative Tom Weber criticized Illinois’ SAFE-T Act after Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the death of Megan Bos in Antioch.

“The death of Megan Bos is a devastating reminder of what happens when our laws fail to protect the innocent,” said Rep. Weber. “The fact that her body was found in a garbage can on the property of an illegal immigrant—who had previously been released because of the SAFE-T Act—is not just disturbing, it’s infuriating.”

Mendoza-Gonzalez had been charged with concealing a death, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice but was released without cash bail under provisions of the SAFE-T Act before being detained by ICE months later.

“We cannot continue to uphold a law that forces judges to release dangerous criminals back into our communities, especially those who are here illegally,” said Weber. “The fact that Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez lived freely in our state for months after abusing and hiding a body in his backyard is unthinkable and is a direct result of Illinois’ disastrous SAFE-T Act.”

Jennifer Bos, Megan’s mother, expressed frustration with state leadership: “A lot of people don’t really understand the seriousness of what these laws mean until it happened to me,” she told Fox News during an interview. “I blame J.B. Pritzker… this is what he wanted.”

“I think Governor Pritzker needs to hear the voices of Megan’s family and other families like theirs,” Weber told Fox.

State Representative Patrick Sheehan also called for repeal or significant modification of the SAFE-T Act after speaking with Jennifer Bos.

“I had the chance to speak with Jennifer, Megan’s mom, this weekend,” Rep. Sheehan said. “She was in tears as she told me the news. My prayers are with her and her entire family. While the pain of this tragedy can never be taken away, we are grateful to have finally received justice for Megan.”

“Were it not for federal law enforcement, Mendoza-Gonzalez would be walking free right now,” said Rep. Sheehan. “This is more proof of how the SAFE-T Act and cashless bail have failed the family of Megan Bos and the people of Illinois... Illinois families deserve better. Megan deserved better.”

“We need to hold criminals accountable and ensure families can have peace,” said Sheehan. “It shouldn’t take ICE agents to clean up this horrific failure of Illinois law.”

State Representative Dan Ugaste added: “I agree that we need to repeal the SAFE-T Act and start over, or at least significantly modify it,” he said.“There are ways to accomplish the goals of safeguarding the rights of the accused while also protecting the general public.” Ugaste has served as Republican representative for Illinois' 65th House District since 2019.

On redistricting issues, House Republicans responded critically after Governor JB Pritzker discussed possible mid-decade changes to congressional maps amid national debates about gerrymandering.

“It’s rich that the Governor now claims to support playing by the rules—after he enthusiastically signed into law the most gerrymandered maps in the nation," stated House Minority Leader Tony McCombie.“When it was convenient, he promised to reject partisan maps in favor of fair representation.Illinois Republicans remain committed to fairness and transparency.”

Deputy Minority Leader Ryan Spain echoed these sentiments: "Nothing is more phony than disingenuous and hypocritical outrage from a grandstanding Governor who signed some of the worst partisanly gerrymandered legislative maps in country," Spain said."Let’s not forget,J.B.Pritzker campaigned against partisan gerrymandering then betrayed his word as soon as it became politically useful... The nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave Illinois’ congressional districts a failing ‘F’ grade."

Rep.Ugaste commented:“So now Governor wants follow rules? This laughable.Illinois’ political maps,both Congress State Legislature already so overly gerrymandered silenced voices millions voters... Under Illinois Constitution legislative districts must be ‘compact contiguous substantially equal population.’ But non-partisan expert witness found 52 current House districts not meeting those requirements.In other words,districts drawn unconstitutional.The Governor’s selective outrage ridiculous.”

In energy news,PJM Interconnection announced an increase in capacity prices—from $269.92 per megawatt-day up $329.17 per megawatt-day—which will impact electric bills across northern Illinois starting summer 2026.This rise comes on top major increases already affecting consumers during summer 2025.MISO customers covering central southern parts state face similar hikes.Current MISO capacity price stands at $666.50 per megawatt-day.

Finally,new data shows Illinois residents paid highest property taxes nationwide during 2023.Homeowners faced average effective rate 1.83%,translating roughly $4,584 annually median-priced home.$250500.Neighboring states reported lower rates,making relocation attractive option.More details available from Illinois Policy Institute.