In surprising move, former longtime Illinois House speaker takes stand at his own corruption trial
1 day, 18 hours ago

In surprising move, former longtime Illinois House speaker takes stand at his own corruption trial

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Once the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, Michael Madigan took the stand Tuesday at his own corruption trial, a shocking move for a man once considered the most powerful politician in Illinois. The former Illinois House speaker’s trial has lasted three months revealing meticulous details on the Chicago Democrat’s many alleged schemes in both his public roles and private work as a tax attorney. Once word emerged that Madigan would take the stand Tuesday afternoon, seats in the courtroom and an overflow room for public viewing at the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago quickly filled up. They never hugged.” Also Tuesday, Madigan began discussing his leadership as speaker, something defense attorneys are expected to pick apart.

Chicago Stand Illinois Madigan  house  takes  public  stand  trial  madigan  private  surprising  corruption  political  work  illinois  longtime  chicago  speaker

History of this topic

Secretly recorded videos are backbone of corruption trial for longest-serving legislative leader
4 weeks ago

Secretly recorded videos are backbone of corruption trial for longest-serving legislative leader

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Hours of secretly recorded videos and phone calls have offered a rare glimpse into how the longest-serving legislative leader in American history operated behind closed doors. As the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan stretches into its third month, testimony has covered his multiple alleged schemes, from kickbacks involving the state’s largest utility company to …

Jury selection begins in corruption trial of longest-serving legislative leader in US history
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Jury selection begins in corruption trial of longest-serving legislative leader in US history

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jury selection began Wednesday in …

Former Illinois legislator convicted of filing false tax returns, other charges
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Former Illinois legislator convicted of filing false tax returns, other charges

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — A federal jury has convicted a former Illinois state senator of tax-related charges that include filing false individual tax returns for two years. Jurors in Chicago deliberated for about eight hours over two days before convicting former state Sen. Annazette Collins on Monday of four of six tax-related charges. She was convicted of filing false individual tax returns …

Jury convicts ex-chief of staff of lying to protect his boss, former Illinois House speaker Madigan
1 year, 4 months ago

Jury convicts ex-chief of staff of lying to protect his boss, former Illinois House speaker Madigan

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — A federal jury in Chicago on Thursday convicted a former chief of staff to longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of lying under oath to a grand jury to protect his once-powerful boss who is scheduled to go on trial on multiple corruption charges next year. Prosecutors told jurors Mapes lied repeatedly when he testified in 2021 to …

Illinois’ ex-House speaker charged in $3M bribery schemes
2 years, 10 months ago

Illinois’ ex-House speaker charged in $3M bribery schemes

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Michael Madigan, the former speaker of the Illinois House and for decades one of the nation’s most powerful legislators, was charged with a nearly $3 million racketeering and bribery scheme Wednesday, becoming the most prominent politician swept up in a federal investigation of entrenched government corruption in the state. Madigan, who resigned from the Legislature a year ago, …

White House: Northern Illinois’ top prosecutor to remain
3 years, 10 months ago

White House: Northern Illinois’ top prosecutor to remain

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — The U.S. attorney for northern Illinois appointed by former President Donald Trump won’t be forced to resign as originally planned, the White House says. But the Biden White House announced late Sunday that John Lausch, the U.S. attorney based in Chicago, would remain in his post, becoming the third exception. “In very limited exceptions, including the Northern District …

Ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign seat
3 years, 10 months ago

Ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign seat

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat who set much of Illinois’ political agenda as House speaker for four decades before his ouster last month, resigned his seat in the Legislature on Thursday. Rauner’s successor, Pritzker, who last fall demanded Madigan resign if he wouldn’t answer questions about the federal investigation, praised Madigan for “countless hours” of public service, …

Illinois replaces longest-serving legislative leader in US
3 years, 11 months ago

Illinois replaces longest-serving legislative leader in US

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois House on Wednesday elected its first Black speaker to replace the longest-serving legislative leader in modern U.S. history, picking Democratic Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch for the job and pushing aside Michael Madigan after he was implicated in an ongoing bribery investigation. On Tuesday, with Welch’s prospects rising, Durkin derided him as a continuation of “the …

4 indicted in scheme to allegedly influence Speaker Madigan
4 years, 1 month ago

4 indicted in scheme to allegedly influence Speaker Madigan

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Four people, including an associate of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on charges they orchestrated a bribery scheme with Commonwealth Edison. The alleged scheme provided do-nothing jobs to Madigan loyalists in exchange for the speaker’s help with state legislation. Those charged with bribery and conspiracy included Michael McClain, 73, of …

Madigan: ‘No plans to resign’ as Dem women seek his ouster
4 years, 5 months ago

Madigan: ‘No plans to resign’ as Dem women seek his ouster

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Sen. Iris Martinez, a respected and influential state and national Democratic Party leader, on Thursday joined a burgeoning group of Democratic lawmakers — all women — calling for Michael Madigan to relinquish his decades-long grip on Illinois politics by resigning as party leader, House speaker, or both after he was implicated in a federal bribery investigation. …

Q&A: What charges might longest serving US speaker face?
4 years, 5 months ago

Q&A: What charges might longest serving US speaker face?

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Federal prosecutors recently answered the question about whether Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the nation’s longest serving statehouse speaker, is a subject of a criminal investigation into influence peddling to benefit an energy utility. It referred to a “Public Official A” as the one ComEd sought to “influence and reward.” The official, the filing went on to say, …

Pritzker: Illinois speaker ‘must resign’ if allegations true
4 years, 5 months ago

Pritzker: Illinois speaker ‘must resign’ if allegations true

Associated Press  

J.B. Pritzker said Friday that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan “must resign” if allegations of corruption are true against the fellow Democrat long considered the state’s most powerful lawmaker. A deferred prosecution agreement for ComEd filed in federal court states that “Public Official A” is the Illinois House speaker, but Madigan — who is the longest-serving state House speaker in …

Report: Investigators ask about Illinois House leader
5 years, 1 month ago

Report: Investigators ask about Illinois House leader

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — The longest-serving state House speaker in modern American history is a subject of inquiries in an ongoing federal corruption investigation that has already entangled several top Illinois Democrats, according to a newspaper report published Thursday. Four people interviewed by investigators told the Chicago Tribune that FBI agents and prosecutors asked about Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s ties to …

Woman says Illinois speaker Madigan didn’t act on complaints
5 years, 10 months ago

Woman says Illinois speaker Madigan didn’t act on complaints

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A former campaign worker for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan whose federal lawsuit claims her career was hindered when she complained about sexual harassment has alleged in court filings that “nothing was done in response” to other complaints against a Madigan staffer in 2015 and 2016. Alaina Hampton’s lawsuit against Madigan’s campaign committees and the state Democratic …

Discover Related