Quincy Reporter

Mecki Kosin sees hope, a light in a long, dark tunnel of corruption in Illinois.

Reports that Speaker Mike Madigan and Gov. J.B. Pritzker are under federal investigation indicates that the Democrats who have wielded power for so long in the state may be losing their grasp, said Kosin, a longtime Republican activist from Quincy.

Madigan revealed as “Public Official A” in court documents released July 17 as part of a plea deal reached by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago and Commonwealth Edison. As part of a deferred prosecution, ComEd admitted to providing contracts, jobs and other favors to influence “Public Official A.” 

ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine and follow all laws for three years. If it does so, a single count of bribery will be dismissed.

Madigan has served as speaker for all but two years since 1983. There have been calls for his resignation, including one from Pritzker, who said if the allegations are true, Madigan must step down.

The speaker has not been charged and has vowed to cooperate with the investigation. The latest shoe to drop is an inquiry into whether AT&T also sought to receive favorable treatment from the longtime political powerhouse, who in addition to his role as speaker, also serves as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

U.S. Attorney John Lausch said there is more dirt to move and answers to find.

“Our investigation is ongoing” Lausch said. “It’s vibrant, and it will continue.”

Federal prosecutors are examining a $330,000 break on property taxes Pritzker received for his second Gold Coast mansion, courtesy of former Assessor Joseph Berrios.

Pritzker, who is reportedly worth more than $3 billion, had five toilets removed from the second massive home. That allowed him to classify it as vacant and see the taxable assessment drop 90 percent. Pritzker repaid the $330,000 in the waning days of the 2018 campaign.

Kosin wants all the facts — and possible favoritism — to be disclosed.

“I believe it is high time that this is exposed,” she told the Quincy Reporter. “Illinois politics has been ruled by Madigan with an iron fist. I think this might be the end of his run. If Madigan was for something, all Democrats had to vote for it, as he had information on everyone. The Republicans were practically shut out. If Madigan did not want a proposal or bill, it never saw the light of day. This man has had way too much power for too long.”

Kosin said the governor should pay close attention to what is happening.

“He should watch and listen — he just might be next,” she said. “Madigan — he has been there too long with too much power.”

Kosin said Republicans should receive a boost at the polls because of these emerging scandals. Voters are watching and learning and may be ready to make their voices heard.

“I think they are saying this right now,” she said. “I hope more will wake up before November, because I see this as our only chance to turn Illinois red!”

Kosin was born in Germany and moved to the United States in 1972. She and her husband have two grown children and six grandchildren.

She has become heavily involved in politics, serving as secretary of the Adams County Republican Central Committee, as a GOP precinct committeewoman and president of the Quincy Tea Party.