Complaint: Chicago lawmaker bribed Senate colleague

CHICAGO (AP) – 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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