SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said a lawmaker accused of bribery in a federal complaint should resign or be removed.
Madigan told reporters Monday that he will begin proceedings to oust fellow Chicago Democratic Rep. Luis Arroyo if he doesn’t give up the seat he’s held since 2006.
The House took similar action in 2012 when former Chicago Democratic Rep. Derrick Smith was arrested and later sentenced to prison for taking a $7,000 bribe.
Madigan says Arroyo’s attorney told him that Arroyo planned to resign as chairman of the House Appropriations-Capital Committee overseeing public works spending.
The complaint unsealed Monday in federal court accuses Arroyo of offering a $2,500 monthly payment to a sitting state senator for the senator’s support on sweepstakes-related legislation.
Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Arroyo should at least relinquish his committee chairmanship.
