CHICAGO– Like the longest-serving legislative leader Throughout American history, Michael Madigan has repeatedly exploited his public role for private purposes, federal prosecutors alleged Monday during opening statements in Illinois. largest corruption trial in years.
Madigan, speaker of the Illinois House for more than three decades and former chairman of the Democratic Party, is charged in a 23-count racketeering indictment involving the use of interstate facilities in furtherance of bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. Among multiple schemes, he is accused of using his influence to pass legislation favorable to utilities and in return handing out kickbacks, jobs and contracts to Madigan loyalists.
“This is a case about corruption at the highest levels of state government,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker told jurors. “Madigan abused his power and used the organizations he led to engage in a pattern of corrupt behavior again and again.”
For more than two hours, Streicker gave an overview of the government’s case, presenting photo slides and flowcharts of key players accused in the schemes, handwritten Madigan documents and quotes from wiretapped conversations.
Madigan’s attorneys quickly dismissed the allegations in their opening statement.
“She relies on bad information. She relies on unreliable sources. And she relies on guesswork and speculation,” said attorney Tom Breen. “You’re going to hear some outright lies.”
Instead, lawyers painted a picture of Madigan, who resigned in 2021as dedicated to his working-class legislative district on the city’s southwest side, near Midway International Airport.
“He was basically incorruptible,” Breen said.
Madigan, 82, has kept a low profile since he was charged in 2022, “adamantly” denying wrongdoing.
The Chicago Democrat – who is also a lawyer – watched the proceedings intently and took notes on a notebook. Several of his family members attended and sat in the front row, including his daughter Lisa Madigan, who served four terms as Illinois attorney general. She refused stand for re-election in 2018.
Opening statements began the following Monday afternoon jury selection that lasted almost two weeks. Twelve jurors and six alternates were selected after extensive questions about the role of lobbyists, news consumption habits and familiarity with the man who was once the most powerful leader in Illinois politics.
Madigan was first elected to the Legislature in 1970 and served as Speaker of the State House from 1983 to 2021, with the exception of two years when Republicans were in control. He set much of Illinois’ political agenda by deciding which legislation would be voted on and controlling various campaign funds. He also supervised cardma political districts.
Federal prosecutors allege he repeatedly exploited these roles to amass more power and money. He is also accused of profiting from private legal work illegally sent to his law firm.
“You’ll see how he was willing to trade public power to line his own pockets,” Streicker said.
Prosecutors also outlined a network of loyalists who helped carry out and conceal the plans.
In addition to Madigan, former confidant and co-defendant Michael McClain, who prosecutors called Madigan’s “mouthpiece,” is on trial. The former state lawmaker and former lobbyist has already been found guilty in a separate, related case. Last year, federal jurors convicted McClain and three others of a bribery plot involving ComEd, the state’s largest utility.
Madigan’s trial is expected to last nearly three months. Jurors are expected to hear about 200 recordings and testimony, including from former Chicago City Councilman Danny Solis, who was a cooperating witness for the government and secretly recorded conversations for years.
Much of the evidence was presented in open court. An in-depth investigation into government corruption has already led to convictions legislators And Madigan’s former chief of staff.
Prosecutors said the recordings will illustrate Madigan’s role in the schemes. But lawyers, who played video clips of Solis’ rallies during opening remarks, said the former councilor cannot be trusted because he himself faced legal and financial problems.
McClain’s attorneys were scheduled to address jurors on Tuesday. He sat at a separate table from Madigan as he watched the proceedings Monday.