Tribune Report: Did Mayor Gonzalez and Michael Madigan Exchange Favors?

Did a Chicago firm's contracts with two Chicago Heights-based governments come from political favors?

Tribune reporters interviewed Gonzalez as part of investigative story connecting Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's political favors to his son Andrew's business successes.

The story noted that the City of Chicago Heights established an insurance contract with Mesirow Financial, the firm Andrew Madigan works at, after the Speaker helped Gonzalez during his campaign for mayor in April 2011.

Here is an excerpt from the story, outlining how Madigan helped Gonzalez:

Though Madigan made a $1,500 donation to the mayor's political fund, the more significant contribution was the help of three Madigan campaign workers. They included Martin Quinn, a top Madigan lieutenant who is now the 13th Ward alderman representing the speaker's Southwest Side stronghold. Madigan reported paying the workers more than $12,000 to help Gonzalez.

Gonzalez told Tribune reporters Madigan's support was strictly at the tail-end of his campaign. "These people did not come out and run our campaign," Gonzalez said. "They came out at the end with a couple bodies here and there and said let's organize maybe Election Day."

The mayor also denied making the deal with Mesirow as a return favor to the elder Madigan, who he said he has not spoken to for "more than a minute."

Gonzales also told Tribune reporters he hired Mesirow because of senior managing partner Mike Mackey whom he has known for years, but that he never spoke with Andrew Madigan about the insurance business. 

Bloom Township High School District 206 switched to Mesirow in July, after a recommendation from the mayor, according to the Tribune:

Gonzalez's relationship with Mesirow also helped the firm get business with the local school board at Bloom Township High School District 206. The mayor said he recommended Mesirow take over the district's insurance work and then called Mesirow to give them the heads-up. The school board, with a majority of members aligned with Gonzalez's Unity Party, voted July 9 to make the switch.

Records from District 206 show Andrew Madigan was among the Mesirow team copied on the company's thank you letter to district administrators.

The Tribune story includes interviews with Bloom 206's former insurance provider Gene Farina and Chicago Heights Park District Supt. Frank Perez. 

To read the whole story visit the Chicago Tribune Website.

Like Chicago Heights Patch on Facebook!

Sign up for daily Chicago Heights news alerts.