Sen. Martin Sandoval Announces Resignation Months After Feds Raid Office

Sen. Martin Sandoval has submitted his resignation to the Illinois Secretary of Senate's office months after federal agents raided his office. 

Sandoval submitted the letter "with a heavy heart" saying the action was "neccessary in order to proceed without distraction to the important work that needs to be accomplished for working families throughout the state of Illinois in the future." His resignation will take effect New Year's Day.

Last month, Sandoval resigned from his position as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee following the release of a warrant related to raids on his offifce, according to a spokesman for Senate President John Cullerton.

On Sept. 24, agents executed search warrants at multiple locations tied to Sandoval, including his district office in Cicero as well as his office at the Illinois State Capitol. The warrant released Friday pertained solely to his Capitol office in Springfield. [[554875892, C]]

Authorities sought items "related to any official action taken in exchange for a benefit" as well as information on "any business owned or controlled by" Sandoval, the warrant reads.

Agents also sought items related to ComEd and Exelon or any employee of those businesses - particularly four specific, unnamed representatives referred to simply as "Exelon Official" A, B, C and D.

The warrant also authorized agents to seize anything related to five officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation, also named only as "Official" A, B, D, E and F.

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Agents sought additional materials in connection with Cook County Commissioner and McCook Mayor Jeff Tobolski, whose office was subsequently raided two days after Sandoval's. [[238427591, C]]

No criminal charges have been filed against Sandoval. He has been in office since 2003 and is a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus leadership.

The raids at Sandoval's offices were one such effort in a long string of FBI searches at various locations tied to state and local political figures. 

The full search warrant can be read below: [[562827881, C]]