* Rep. Arroyo (D-Chicago) chairs the House Appropriations-Capital Committee. He worked with Sen. Martin Sandoval, the former chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, on the infrastructure bill…



///BREAKING/// Illinois State Rep. Luis Arroyo of Chicago was arrested Friday on public corruption charges and is appearing in a federal courtroom now. He’s sitting in court with lawyer waiting for the hearing to begin. Details to come. — Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) October 28, 2019

This post will be updated.

…Adding… Rep. Arroyo gave up a spot in leadership to take over the chairmanship of that approp committee.

Arroyo’s recent contributions include $5,000 on September 24th from Rick Heidner’s Gold Rush Amusements, Inc. He received $2,500 that same day from ComEd.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Wow…



Hearing for state Rep. Luis Arroyo starting now. He’s charged in a criminal complaint with bribery of a state official. Maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. — Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) October 28, 2019 Arroyo has already negotiated the terms of bond and will be released. He’s been ordered to have no contact with “Individual A” in the charges, who is another state elected official. — Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) October 28, 2019 Arroyo charge relates to corruptly offering illicit payments to a state official, govt says. — Dave McKinney (@davemckinney) October 28, 2019 Arroyo's son, Cook County Commissioner Luis Arroyo Jr, was here in the county building for budget hearings earlier this morning. He ducked out before this news came out and hasn't returned. https://t.co/mThWXWY8gk — Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) October 28, 2019

His attorney is Terence Gillespie. The Sun-Times reports he’d negotiated a $10,000 unsecured bond.

…Adding… Arroyo has a side business called Spartacus 3…

Spartacus 3 offers the most comprehensive Municipal and County business advocacy services. The combined experience of over 20 years in government operations paired with the unparalleled individual skills of our team offer you focus, leadership and reliability for a successful partnership. We will assess the need, identify a strategy with you, procure the necessary documentation and advocate for your business through legislative and regulatory processes until your objective is accomplished. […] The Spartacus 3 team excels at every dimension of winning political campaigns and has penned many victories in it’s score card. Winning a political or government campaign requires a sharp message. It also requires a sharp field and targeting plan, rapid response, political outreach, press strategy and direct voter contact, all executed without mistakes. Your path to victory starts with us.

The company pays Arroyo’s political committee $1,000 a month in rent.

*** UPDATE 2 *** One of the items listed to be seized on the Sandoval warrant was anything related to “sweepstakes” businesses and/or anything “any issues supported by any of those individuals or businesses.” I do not know if this is related, but Arroyo and his company registered to lobby the Chicago City Council this year on a “Sweepstakes Ordinance.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** Yep. It’s related…



Govt’s bribery case against Rep Luis Arroyo involves effort to pay an unnamed Illinois state senator on behalf of a lobbying client to advance gambling sweepstakes legislation, US Atty spox says. The spokesman would not say whether that unnamed senator is Marty Sandoval. — Dave McKinney (@davemckinney) October 28, 2019

I’ve been watching this sweepstakes issue for a different reason. We’ll see if this leads to where I think it might.

*** UPDATE 4 *** HGOP…

MEDIA ADVISORY: Durkin, HGOP Members to Make Statement on Arrest of State Representative Luis Arroyo WHAT: Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Members of the HGOP Caucus to discuss the arrest of Illinois State Representative Luis Arroyo WHEN: 1230PM TODAY WHERE: Capitol Blueroom (Springfield)

…Adding… Sun-Times…

Arroyo’s office released a statement Monday, saying that he “would politely decline to answer any questions concerning today’s events. Suffice it to say that Rep. Arroyo entered a plea of not guilty and believes that he will eventually be completely vindicated of the charges against him.”

I’m told the governor will be issuing a statement soonish.