The Latest: Illinois House Speaker demands lawmaker resign
CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on Illinois state legislator charged with bribery (all times local):
3 p.m.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says 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.
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1:35 p.m.
The Republican leader of the Illinois House says he'll seek the ouster of a Democratic lawmaker accused of bribery if he doesn't resign by the end of the day.
Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs told reporters Monday that he feels "anger and utter disdain" at the bribery allegation against Rep. Luis Arroyo.
A federal complaint unsealed Monday accuses Arroyo of offering a state senator $2,500 a month to support his sweepstakes-related legislation.
Durkin says if Arroyo doesn't quit by Monday evening, he'll seek approval of a resolution for a special investigative House process that could end in Arroyo's ouster. The same process was used in 2012 to remove former Democratic Rep. Derrick Smith who was later convicted of accepting a bribe.
Democrats who control the House must approve the resolution. A spokesman for Speaker Michael Madigan hasn't responded to a request for comment.
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12:30 p.m.
A federal complaint accuses an Illinois lawmaker of offering a bribe of $2,500 a month to another lawmaker in exchange for support of sweepstakes-related legislation.
The 12-page complaint unsealed Monday says Rep. Luis Arroyo made the offer to the unidentified state senator on Aug. 2 and handed over an initial check on Aug. 22 for backing the legislation in the Illinois Senate. It calls the state senator a cooperating witness.
The 65-year-old Chicago Democrat appeared in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Monday. Prosecutors say he's accused of "offering an illicit payment to an official." Arroyo didn't speak or enter a plea.
He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Arroyo is from Chicago's West Side and has served in the Legislature since 2006. He is chairman of a House appropriations committee and is on the public utilities committee and transportation committee.
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11:40 a.m.
An Illinois state lawmaker has been arrested on a federal public corruption charge, becoming the latest top state Democrat targeted by federal prosecutors.
Rep. Luis Arroyo appeared in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Monday. Prosecutors told a magistrate that the 65-year-old Chicago Democrat is accused of "offering an illicit payment to an official."
Arroyo stood next to his lawyer in court in a gray suit, his hands folded in front of him. Prosecutors didn't immediately offer any details.
They told the judge the maximum penalty if Arroyo is convicted is 10 years in prison.
Arroyo is from Chicago's west side and has served in the Legislature since 2006. He is chairman of a House appropriations committee and is on the public utilities committee and transportation committee.