Attorneys for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan concluded their case on Thursday, signaling a significant moment in the corruption trial of the longtime Democratic powerbroker.
Following the defense’s conclusion, prosecutors called back an FBI agent for brief testimony and submitted one last bank record into evidence. U.S. District Judge John Blakey informed the jury that the trial was nearing its conclusion.
Three days of closing arguments are set to begin on Wednesday, after which the jury will start deliberations during the week of January 27th. Before that can occur, attorneys must finalize discussions on key jury instructions on Tuesday, marking three months since the trial commenced with opening statements in October.
Madigan faces 23 counts, including bribery, racketeering, extortion, and other corruption charges. His co-defendant, Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain, is implicated in several of those counts, with prosecutors alleging he acted as Madigan’s emissary.
During his testimony over the past two weeks, Madigan sought to distance himself from the federal portrayal of him and McClain as closely aligned. After his testimony, McClain’s attorneys renewed their previously rejected request to separate their case from Madigan’s. However, Judge Blakey denied the motion again following brief arguments.
Prosecutors claim that Madigan and McClain operated a “criminal enterprise” that bolstered Madigan’s power while enriching him and his associates. This included political allies who received jobs and contracts with companies like Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois from 2011 until the FBI’s investigation became public in 2019. These jobs and contracts are characterized by the feds as bribes to Madigan, who allegedly ensured these companies faced fewer obstacles in passing preferred legislation in Springfield.
Additionally, government attorneys accuse Madigan of engaging in bribery during a 1½-year period in 2017 and 2018. During this time, Chicago Alderman Danny Solis, then-chair of the city council’s powerful zoning committee, reportedly introduced Madigan to various real estate developers so that Madigan’s law firm could offer property tax appeal services. Prosecutors assert that Madigan promised to recommend Solis for a lucrative state board position in exchange for directing business to his firm, although the former speaker never followed through on the recommendation.
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