Speaker

Unqualified Hires and Political Favors: Trial Uncovers Alleged Bribery Scheme Involving Former Illinois House Speaker and ComEd Executives

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CHICAGO — In a federal courtroom in Chicago, jurors have been presented with a case that peels back the curtain on the intersection of political influence and corporate hiring practices. At the heart of the controversy is former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime associate Mike McClain, a prominent lobbyist, both of whom stand accused of engaging in a sophisticated bribery scheme with the electric utility, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd). According to testimony, Madigan’s influence allegedly prompted ComEd executives to favor job candidates who performed poorly in interviews, failed screening tests, or didn’t show … Read more

Jury Selected in High-Stakes Trial of Former Illinois Speaker Madigan After Intensive Vetting Process

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CHICAGO — After a meticulous week of jury selection, the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has secured its 12 jurors, though six alternates are yet to be decided. The landmark case, which is drawing wide attention, involves allegations of racketeering against Madigan who is accused of using his political influence for personal and political gain. The panel, comprising eight women and four men, mirrors a broad cross-section of northern Illinois, from a Chicago hospital worker with limited political knowledge to a former kindergarten teacher and a Southwest Side insurance underwriter. This diverse … Read more

Jury Selection Underway in High-Profile Corruption Trial of Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

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CHICAGO — The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, a significant figure in state politics, is set to begin with jury selection on Wednesday. Madigan, who is implicated in a major corruption case involving the state’s largest utility, ComEd, faces charges in a multimillion-dollar racketeering and bribery scheme. Madigan, 83, who holds the record as the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, resigned in 2021 amidst growing legal pressures. Federal prosecutors have charged him with a series of crimes including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. They claim that he leveraged his … Read more

Jury Selection Begins in Historic Corruption Trial of Former Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan

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CHICAGO, Illinois — The selection of jury members for the highly anticipated federal corruption trial of Mike Madigan, Illinois’ longest-serving State House Speaker, commenced on Tuesday. The court issued questionnaires to a pool of 180 potential jurors, embarking on what promises to be a complex legal examination of Madigan’s decades-long career. Madigan, who held his powerful position from 1983 until 2021, with a brief interruption between 1995 and 1997, has been a prominent figure in Illinois politics. His tenure has sparked controversy and drawn significant media attention, aspects that his defense team believes could complicate … Read more