North Egypt News

State Representative Dave Severin updated his constituents about the trial of former Speaker Michael Madigan in a December 5 Facebook post. He said, "Yesterday, jurors in the Madigan corruption trial saw evidence of the former Speaker's influence throughout state government."

"Yesterday, jurors in the Madigan corruption trial saw evidence of the former Speaker's influence throughout state government," said Severin, according to Facebook.

According to Severin's Facebook post, he shared a link to a December 4 article from Courthouse News Service, which focused on developments in the former Illinois House Speaker’s corruption trial. Jessica Basham testified about a list of people that Madigan’s office had recommended for state boards and commissions between 2018 and 2019. Basham served as Madigan’s chief of staff from June 2018 to August 2021. During her tenure, she said at least 35 individuals recommended by Madigan’s office were placed on state boards and commissions.

Screenshot of State Representative Dave Severin's Dec. 5 Facebook post | State Representative Dave Severin's Facebook page

The article also connected Basham’s testimony to that of another witness, Danny Solis, who was an FBI informant in this case. Solis had been offered assistance to secure a position on a state board within the incoming Pritzker administration.

Further connections were made with testimony from Jennifer Gavelek, senior vice president of Alliant Insurance Services. She testified that the company contracted with the Resurrection Project in May 2020 and mentioned being introduced to the Resurrection Project by Andrew Madigan, a colleague at Alliant and son of Michael Madigan. In a 2018 meeting with Solis, it was reported that Madigan asked him to help Andrew establish contact with the Resurrection Project.

ABC7 reported on December 11 that former State Representative Eddie Acevedo is expected to testify on December 16. Acevedo has been diagnosed with dementia but has been assured immunity as long as his testimony is truthful and answers questions, even those potentially incriminating.

Severin has been serving in the Illinois General Assembly since 2016, initially representing the 117th District and currently representing the 116th District. He resides in Benton with his wife and owns All-Stars-n-Stitches in Benton and Graphics Galore in Marion.