Tag Archives: Illinois pay to Play

Michael Madigan Obama corruption crony implicated in US v Commonwealth Edison, Illinois pay to play, Obama still protected?

Michael Madigan Obama corruption crony implicated in US v Commonwealth Edison, Illinois pay to play, Obama still protected?

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Before it’s over, Dead Meat’s nemesis, House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Lisa’s Daddy, will certainly exert his influence here. The Lord of Madiganistan doesn’t want you to look too closely, but he always has something to say about who gets to wear the black robes. He’s chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, and those boys still decide who wields the gavel from the county level to the Illinois Supreme Court.”… John Kass, Chicago tribune December 1, 2011

 

Michael Madigan is a longtime speaker of the Illinois House and state Democrat Party chairman.

He also had dealings with Barack Obama.

Madigan is identified as Public Official A in the following Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division filing July 16, 2020.

United States v Commonwealth Edison

“1.              At times material to this information:

a.            Defendant COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY (hereinafter, “ComEd”), with headquarters located in Chicago, was the largest utility company in Illinois. As a utility, ComEd was subject to extensive regulation by the State of Illinois.

b.           The legislative branch of government for the State of Illinois was commonly known as the Illinois General Assembly. The Illinois General Assembly was composed of two houses: The House of Representatives and the Senate. The Illinois General Assembly routinely considered bills and passed legislation that had a substantial impact on ComEd’s operations and profitability, including legislation that affected the regulatory process used to determine the rates ComEd could charge customers for the delivery of electricity. ComEd maintained a continuing interest in advancing legislation in the Illinois General Assembly favorable to its interests, and opposing legislation that was not consistent with its operational and financial success.

c.            Public Official A was the Speaker of the House of Representatives and an elected member of that body. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Public Official A was able to exercise control over what measures were called for a vote in the House of Representatives. Public Official A also exercised substantial influence and control over fellow lawmakers concerning legislation, including legislation affecting ComEd.

2.            Beginning no later than in or around 2011, and continuing through in or around 2019, in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and elsewhere,

COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY,

defendant herein, corruptly gave, offered, and agreed to give things of value, namely, jobs, vendor subcontracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and subcontracts, for the benefit of Public Official A and Public Official A’s associates, with intent to influence and reward Public Official A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, a State government that during each of the twelve-month calendar years from 2011 to 2019, received federal benefits in excess of $10,000, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of $5,000 or more of the State of Illinois, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business;

In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(2).”

Read more:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/22606/000110465920084325/tm2025018d1_ex10-1.htm

From Citizen Wells October 23, 2011.

“Obama role in corrupting IL Teacher Retirement System pensions”

“Mr. Rogers said the investment managers also solicited support from Michael J. Madigan, the powerful Democratic speaker of the Illinois House. In 2001 and 2002, Mr. Madigan and Mr. Obama — at times joined by the investment executives — made formal pitches before three of the state pension boards.”

https://citizenwells.com/2011/10/23/obama-role-in-corrupting-il-teacher-retirement-system-pensions-cellini-trial-2007-ny-times-article-where-is-tony-rezko-where-is-house-judiciary-committee/

From the Tony Rezko trial March 10, 2008.

“Ziegelmueller asked Hayden about a 2003 e-mail exchange with Lichtenstein, then the governor’s top lawyer, in which Wilhelm made recommendations for the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
The name of Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner for the presidential nomination, also appears in the e-mail as a member of a strategic team reviewing hospital board matters with the governor’s staff when he was a state senator. The hospital board was scheduled to be revamped in the summer of 2003.

Obama was then chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. Other legislative leaders, including Madigan, were part of that review panel as well, according to the e-mail.”

Obama’s role in the rigging of the IL Health Planning and Facilities Board.

From Citizen Wells February 23, 2020.

“Jan. – Aug. 2003:  Obama was Chairman of the IL Senate Health and Human Service Committee.
Feb. 20, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act” filed. Reduced members of IL Health Planning and Facilities Board from 15 to 9.

(Rezko Trial March 13, 2008; 3:09 p.m.)

“Almanaseer was appointed to the planning board in 2003 on Rezko’s recommendation. Prosecutors contend he became part of a five-member voting bloc on the board that followed Rezko’s wishes. Almanaseer said board Chairman Thomas Beck tried to steer his voting.

“He said, ‘If you just don’t know which way to vote, vote the way Mr. Levine votes because that’s the way Tony would want the vote to go,” Almanaseer recalled, referring to Stuart Levine.”

Spring 2003 – Nov 2003: (Rezko trial March 11, 2008; 10:58 a.m.)

“Jennifer Thomas, a former aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s patronage chief Joe Cini, continued on the stand Tuesday morning and gave a few more insights into those regular Monday morning meetings she and Cini held in 2003 with Antoin “Tony” Rezko at his office.”

“Thomas said Rezko floated the names of several people to sit on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which the government claims Rezko corrupted with the help of board member Stuart Levine. And Thomas said Rezko at one point made it clear that he wanted to see Levine reappointed to the panel, which was being overhauled by the governor in 2003.”
May 21, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 passed by House and Senate.
June 27, 2003: Blagojevich made this the effective date of Senate Bill 1332.
June 2003: (Rezko trial March 10, 2008; 4:16 p.m.)

“Ziegelmueller asked Hayden about a 2003 e-mail exchange with Lichtenstein, then the governor’s top lawyer, in which Wilhelm made recommendations for the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
The name of Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner for the presidential nomination, also appears in the e-mail as a member of a strategic team reviewing hospital board matters with the governor’s staff when he was a state senator. The hospital board was scheduled to be revamped in the summer of 2003.
Obama was then chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.”
June 30, 2003: Obama gets the following donations.

$5000 Ali Ata was appointed as Director at IFA
$6000 Alison Davis gets appointment on Investment Board
$15,000 Dr. Michael Malek gets appointment on Hospital Facility Board
$5000  Abdelhamid Chaib’s wife gets appointment on Employee Security Board
$10,000 Elie Maloof – Rezko used him as one of several strawmen to donate funds to certain politicians.
$1000  Phil Cacciatore (one of Auchi’s Riverside Park Investors) gets seat on Board
$1000  Velma Butler (one of Auchi’s Riverside Park Investors) was recommended for Board
$1000  Martello Pollack (Vegas Crystal Comm) received Iraqi Construction contracts
$1000 Jack Carriglio gets appointed to Board
$500  Anthony Abboud gets appointed to Board
$3000 Michael Winter, who helped Rezko in funneling kickbacks through investment firm
$1000 Talat Othman gets appointed to Board
$1000 David Gustman, $1000 from Gustman’s wife after he is appointed Board Chairman”

Read more:

https://citizenwells.com/2020/02/23/blagojevich-commutation-proposed-dec-2016-president-trump-release-fbi-wiretaps-blagojevich-prosecution-protected-obama-with-closer-rezko-corruption-ties/

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://citizenwells.net/

 

Alonzo Monk pleads guilty, Obama Health care reform, Rod Blagojevich health care, Illinois pay to play, Chicago politics, Chicago corruption, Obama cronies, Monk and Obama ties

Alonzo Monk pleads guilty

Part 1

 

I was preparing an article on Alonzo Monk, former chief of staff for Rod Blagojevich, who just pled guilty to corruption charges. Instead of just writing the simple story, a story barely covered by the press, I wanted to provide more background information and the depth of involvement in crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois and how this is also an indictment of Barack Obama. As in any story involving Obama, there is just too much to write about in one article.
I came across this article from the Chicago Tribune dated December 23, 2007. The article, written many months before Rod Blagojevich was indicted, explains how Heath Care reform, Illinois pay to play style works. Change some names and dates and what do you have? The current Obama attempt to ram government run health care down our throats and enrich his cronies.
“For years, Rod Blagojevich has projected two distinct images that define his tenure as Illinois’ governor.

In one, he is a populist champion with an agenda of “putting people first” by pushing causes like health care for all. In the other, he is a consummate politician with cronies who offer advice while raising campaign cash and asking for favors.”
“Federal prosecutors for the first time have put Blagojevich inside their widespread investigation of pay-to-play in his administration. Blagojevich told one convicted federal informant, “You stick with us and you will do very well for yourself,” according to a court document prosecutors filed.”
“Nix, however, disputed that Knapp’s influence is overriding. Instead, she said Blagojevich long has used a team approach to politicking and governing. In this vein, he is a public official heavily reliant on his aides. His team has a core nucleus of Nix, chief of staff John Harris, former chief of staff Alonzo Monk, longtime political aide John Wyma, state Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), state Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago) and campaign spokesman Doug Scofield.

But Monk, Scofield and Wyma are lobbyists, and their clients have won millions in state contracts under Blagojevich’s stewardship. And Kelly, another close adviser and friend, was indicted this month on federal tax fraud charges.

Blagojevich allies and confidants said the governor opened his second term with two key missions for 2007: First, he wanted to expand government-covered health care insurance to all Illinoisans; second, he wanted, once and for all, to politically wound his chief nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan, chairman of the state Democratic Party.”
“Health care “is an issue that he feels is a fundamental right,” Hoffman said. “I think he’s willing to stake his administration on it and that’s what this fight is all about.””
“This strategy has worked marvelously in the thick of campaign season. He handily won both gubernatorial contests by creating an enemy—the scandal-marred Gov. George Ryan was used in both cases—and then excoriating that enemy by claiming that he would defend the public against this foe.”

Read more:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2007/12/gov-blagojevich.html

Sound familiar?

Now revisit articles from Citizen Wells that reveal the ties between Obama and Chicago and Illinois corruption figures, including Alonzo Monk, and decide if you want Health Care Reform, Chicago style.
December 9, 2008

The real Rod Blagojevich, et al and Obama ties

 

December 22, 2008

Hospital CEO Wore Wire, helped build Graft Cases In Illinois

March 6, 2009

“Barack Obama’s role in rigging the IL Health Facilities Planning Board by reducing the number of members from 15 to 9
and therefore allowing Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and Rod Blagojevich to control the board with only 5 members, is
examined in detail. The indictments and criminal complaints of Rezko, Levine, Blagojevich and Weinstein reveal their
involvement in board corruption. Obama should be indicted as well.”

IL Health Facilities Planning Board rigged

August 10, 2009

Mercy Hospital kickbacks

“The brief conversation was between Levine and Rezko on April 24, 2004, just three days after Levine said he and Rezko
had rigged a vote of a state hospital planning board to approve a controversial hospital in Crystal Lake. Hospital
contractor Jacob Kiferbaum was going to pay Levine and Rezko $1 million in bribes if the Crystal Lake facility won
approval, Levine has testified.”

Children’s Memorial Hospital seen as potential shakedown target

“Levine testified that he called Rezko on April 24 to set up a meeting to discuss their next shakedown target: Children’s
Memorial Hospital.”

Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama’s job and salary

“Jarrett was appointed chairman of the University of Chicago Medical Center Board in June 2006. She was also made
chairman of a newly created Executive Committee of that Board, according to a June 13, 2006 University announcement. In
addition, Jarrett was named vice-chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, the announcement states. Michelle landed a high paying job at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Two months after Obama became a US senator, she was appointed vice president for community and external affairs. Tax returns show the promotion nearly tripled her pay to
$317,000 in 2005, from $122,000 in 2004.”

Obama healthcare, Chicago corruption

September 12, 2009

Planning board votes rigged for Mercy Hospital scheme

“Although the application was rejected the first time, Mercy moved for reconsideration and won approval at the April 21,
2004 meeting. Beck testified that after the meeting, he and Levine drove to Rezko’s office to tell him the plan was
approved and Rezko was there with Christopher Kelly.”

“It was further part of the conspiracy that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and KELLY, along with Monk, Cellini, Robert
Blagojevich, Harris, Rezko, and Levine, and others, used and attempted to use the powers of the Office of the Governor
and of certain state boards and commissions subject to the influence of the Office of the Governor, to take and cause
governmental actions, including: appointments to boards and commissions; the awarding of state business, grants, and
investment fund allocations; the enactment of legislation and executive orders; and the appointment of a United States
Senator; in exchange for financial benefits for themselves and others, including campaign contributions for ROD
BLAGOJEVICH, money for themselves, and employment for ROD BLAGOJEVICH and his wife.”

Cristopher Kelly dead, Planning board rigging
 

September 13, 2009

“Kelly dies of possible overdose
Authorities say death may be suicide but are investigating it as homicide”

“Kelly, 51, who was to report to federal prison officials this week to start serving an 8-year sentence, died Saturday at
Stroger Hospital in what authorities said was a possible suicide from an over-the-counter medication. An autopsy is
scheduled for Sunday, and police in Chicago and south suburban Country Club Hills are conducting a death investigation.

Kelly’s death ended a tumultuous year in his life. He twice pleaded guilty to federal charges. He was estranged from his
wife. And he faced serious financial problems, partly due to gambling debts. But Kelly indicated he was not going to turn
on Blagojevich despite pressure from prosecutors.”

Citizen Wells clarification

“Do not let the fact that the federal prosecutors convicted Kelly because of his corruption involving O’Hare International Airport. Just as most of the corruption Blagojevich had to do with “pay to play” politics in Chicago and Illinois, Kelly was involved with Blagojevich, Rezko, Levine and ultimately Obama in the Planning Board rigging that corrupted the Mercy Hospital deal.”

Christpher Kelly’s role clarified
 
  

What is the current attempt by Obama and liberal Democrats at health care reform all about?

  • Appeasing their far left core support.
  • More control over the American people to get votes.
  • Payback to trial lawyers and other big supporters (refer to contribution table above).
  • Achieving the goals of far left, socialist, communists who are controlling the party with the goal of redistribution of wealth..

Truth about Obama Health care Reform

Would you trust Obama, et al with your and your family’s health care?

Please pass this story along to Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and as many people as possible. The story of Alonzo Monk pleading guilty has been barely covered. The much larger story of Monk’s involvement in Illinois corruption, the impact on health care in IL and Monk’s ties to Obama is a much bigger story. And the really big story is that Obama is trying to force health care changes on this country just like Rod Blagojevich tried, for the enrichment of himself and his cronies.

For additional insight:

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2009/pr0402_01a.pdf

Rod Blagojevich indicted, Arrested, Chicago Tribune, December 9, 2008, Illinois pay to Play, Leutenant Governor Pat Quinn information, Obama endorsed Blagojevich, Rezko trial, Emil Jones picked to replace Obama, John Wyma

Illinois Governor Rod Blagovich has been indicted and arrested
in a continuing investigation into pay for play politics in
Illinois. The Leutenant Governor of Illinois is Pat Quinn.
Here is some biographical information on Pat Quinn:

“Not to be confused with the other Pat Quinn, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn was elected to executive office in 2002, and recently won a second term, defeating Joe Birkett. He served as the elected State Treasurer of Illinois from 1991 to 1995, and was the Commissioner of the Cook County Board of (Property) Tax Appeals in the early eighties. He has also served as Revenue Director for the City of Chicago. In addition to being first in line of succession to the Governor, the Lt. Governor serves on a variety of boards and commissions around the state.

Regarded in political circles as a progressive, Pat Quinn has a record of organizing grassroots political initiatives around the state since the 1970s, including the ultimately unsuccessful push for the “Illinois Initiative,” which would have amended the state constitution to give state citizens the power to enact statutes through the process of referenda, much like California. Although the petition drive was successful, it was blocked by the Illinois Supreme Court, which ruled that the Illinois Initiative was an “unconstitutional constitutional amendment” and was never put before voters. In 1980 he successfully led the fight for the Cutback amendment to the Illinois Constitution, which reduced the size of the Illinois House of Representatives from 177 to 118 members. In 1983 he led the drive to create the Citizens Utility Board. His undergraduate degree is in International Economics, which he earned at Georgetown, and he holds a law degree from Northwestern and teaches Tax Law at Chicago-Kent. Recently, he has led the fight against utility rate hikes in Illinois, and, much like former Lt. Governor Paul Simon, he has used his position in state government to advocate for taxpayers and other people that lack powerful interests in our political system.

Much like the political culture in this state, Illinois election law has some unusual requirements, among them that candidates for lieutenant governor run separate in the primary from candidates for governor. As such, the two highest elected executives in the state don’t always agree, and the Blagojevich-Quinn administration has been no exception. Chicagoist had the opportunity to sit down with Quinn in his Chicago office a few weeks ago to discuss grassroots activism, tax relief, ethics, public transit, and Paul Simon.”

Read more here:

http://chicagoist.com/2007/04/20/interview_illinois_lieutenant_governor_pat_quinn.php

Rod Blagojevich indicted, Arrested, Chicago Tribune, December 9, 2008, Illinois pay to Play, Obama endorsed Blagojevich, Rezko trial, Emil Jones picked to replace Obama, John Wyma

** Updates Below **

Illinois Governor Rod Blagovich has been indicted and arrested
in a continuing investigation into pay for play politics in
Illinois. The citizen Wells blog has reported for months the
ties to Tony Rezko, including Obama, Blagojevich, Stuart Levine
and many others. Barack Obama had endorsed Rod Blagojevich. Here
are exerpts from a Chicago Tribune article dated December 9, 2008:

“Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges.

Blagojevich and Harris were accused of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy that included Blagojevich conspiring to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama in exchange for financial benefits for the governor and his wife. The governor was also accused of obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for other official actions.

 

“Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning.”

Blagojevich was taken into custody hours after the Tribune reported that the investigation into allegations of pay-to-play politics within his administration had been expanded to include his pending choice of a Senate replacement for Obama. The Democratic governor has said he expects to make a decision on the state’s next senator in weeks.”

Read more here:

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/source-feds-take-gov-blagojevich-into-custody.html

US Department of Justice Press Release

In my estimation, Obama is next.

** Updates from the Chicago Tribune **

Updated at 9:17 a.m.: Blagojevich also was alleged to be using a favors list, made up largely of individuals and firms that have state contracts or received taxpayer benefits, from which to conduct a $2.5 million fundraising drive before year’s end.

Even Blagojevich’s recently announced $1.8 billion plan for new interchanges and “green lanes” on the Illinois Tollway was subject to corruption, prosecutors alleged.

The complaint repeatedly makes reference to conversations secretly recorded by federal authorities.

The criminal complaint alleges Blagojevich expected an unnamed highway concrete contractor to raise a half-million dollars for his campaign fund in exchange for state money for the tollway project. “If they don’t perform, (expletive) ’em,” Blagojevich said, according to the complaint.

Updated at 9:08 a.m.: Blagojevich and Harris were arrested simultaneously at their homes at about 6:15 a.m., according to the FBI. They were transported to FBI headquarters in Chicago, where they remained at 9 a.m.

Updated at 9 a.m.: Blagojevich is slated to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan today at a time that has not yet been scheduled, according to Randall Samborn of the U.S. attorney’s office.

Updated at 8:57 a.m.: On the issue of the U.S. Senate selection, federal prosecutors alleged Blagojevich sought appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Obama administration, or a lucrative job with a union in exchange for appointing a union-preferred candidate. An Obama spokesman had no immediate comment.

Blagojevich and Harris conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of Blagojevich in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co.

Blagojevich and Harris, along with others, obtained and sought to gain financial benefits for the governor, members of his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state jobs and state contracts.

“The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering,” U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement. “They allege that Blagojevich put a ‘for sale’ sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism.”