Yet another Chicago politician has had his home searched by federal agents. The Chicago Tribune reports:
Federal agents have raided the home of a second ally of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, this time former Southwest Side Ald. Michael R. Zalewski, his attorney said Saturday.
Thomas Breen, the former 23rd Ward alderman’s lawyer, confirmed that a search warrant was carried out at Zalewski’s home. Breen told the Tribune that he could not comment further.
“Michael has been known to be a hardworking straight shooter his entire life. We do not think that this investigation will change his good reputation,” Breen said Saturday.
Citing unnamed sources, the Better Government Association and WBEZ-FM 91.5 reported Friday that the Zalewski raid involved an attempt to get work for Zalewski at ComEd and “interactions†between Madigan, Zalewski and Mike McClain, a veteran former ComEd lobbyist and Madigan confidant. None could be reached for comment.
Don’t be concerned that the feds will run out of Chicago politicians. As long as a politician can get a cushy, high-paying job following their political careers from organizations they’re supposed to be regulating, there will be plenty of new politicians to take their place.
