“We’ve been given every indication this is going to proceed quickly, with meetings weekly,” Demmer said.
The list of potential committee witnesses include Madigan, former ComEd lobbyist and former state Rep. Michael McClain of Quincy, and former Chicago Ald. Michael Zalewski, both of whom had their houses searched by the FBI; others who lobbied for ComEd including John Hooker and Jay Doherty, and Anne Pramaggiore, who retired in 2019 as CEO of Exelon Utilities, ComEd’s parent company.
Fidel Marquez, former ComEd senior vice president for governmental affairs, was also on the list. Marquez was charged last week with bribery conspiracy for his alleged role in helping orchestrate the scheme.
Welch said after the hearing that he and Demmer spoke several times before the meeting about what the process would be, but he did not know the list was coming.
“That was a surprise what they did here today, but the names aren’t new,” Welch said. “I think … what they did … was about posturing.”
He also noted that two of the three Republicans named to the special committee — Reps. Grant Wehrli of Naperville and Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst — are in districts on the top list of where Democrats are challenging their re-elections.
Wehrli and Mazzochi told reporters their platforms or pushing ethics and accountability explains their being named to the panel.
