The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in a case involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan that it doesn’t have the authority to penalize a politician for a “shady strategy that voters tolerate.”
Jason Gonzales contended in a lawsuit that Madigan planted sham candidates on the ballot to ensure he would defeat Gonzales’ challenge in the 2016 Democratic primary. Madigan received 65% of the vote despite Gonzales’ allegation.
In a written opinion, Judge Frank Easterbrook said Gonzales suspected trickery by Madigan from the start and made it known, and the electorate voted for Madigan anyhow.
