Michael Madigan trial: A timeline of events leading to jury deliberations

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is awaiting a jury verdict in his federal corruption trial, a historic case that spanned 12 weeks and featured testimony from more than 60 witnesses—including Madigan himself.

Madigan, 82, faces a 23-count indictment, including charges of bribery, racketeering, and wire fraud. 

Prosecutors accuse him of using his position as both House speaker and leader of the Democratic Party of Illinois to enrich himself and expand his power. He is also alleged to have illegally directed private tax work to his law firm.

Timeline:

Here’s a timeline of key events leading up to this moment:

  • April 19, 1942: Michael Joseph Madigan was born in Chicago, Illinois.
  • 1969: At age 27, Madigan is elected as the 13th Ward Democratic Committeeman, becoming the youngest ward committeeman in Chicago at the time.
  • January 13, 1971: Madigan begins his tenure in the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 27th District.
  • 1977: He is appointed Majority Leader of the Illinois House.
  • January 14, 1981 – January 12, 1983: Madigan serves as Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives.
  • 1983: Madigan becomes Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, a position he holds until 1995.
  • 1986: Madigan plays a key role in urging Adlai Stevenson III to enter the Democratic primary for Illinois governor.
  • January 1995: Following a Republican majority win, Madigan serves as Minority Leader.
  • January 1997: He regains the role of Speaker after Democrats reclaim the House majority.
  • 1998: Madigan is elected Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
  • November 5, 2002: His daughter, Lisa Madigan, is elected as Illinois Attorney General.
  • May 31, 2017: Madigan becomes the longest-serving state House Speaker in U.S. history.
  • November 18, 2020: Four people, including Madigan associate Michael McClain, indicted by a federal grand jury on charges they orchestrated a bribery scheme with Commonwealth Edison.
  • January 11, 2021: Madigan suspends his campaign for another term as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives after failing to secure enough support within his party.
  • January 13, 2021: Madigan is succeeded by Chris Welch as Speaker of the Illinois House.
  • February 18, 2021: Madigan resigns from the Illinois House of Representatives, ending his decades-long tenure.

READ MORE: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan resigns seat

  • February 22, 2021: He steps down as Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
  • March 2, 2022: Madigan is indicted on federal racketeering and bribery charges, accused of leading a "criminal enterprise" to enhance his political power and financial well-being.
  • October 14, 2022: AT&T agrees to pay a $23 million fine to resolve a federal criminal investigation into the company's efforts to unlawfully influence Madigan.
  • May 2, 2023: The "ComEd Four" are convicted in a bribery scheme linked to Madigan, though he was not a defendant in this trial.
  • February, 12, 2024: Tim Mapes, Madigan's former chief of staff, sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for perjury after lying to a grand jury about his knowledge of sexual harassment allegations against a colleague.
  • October 9, 2024: Jury selection begins for Madigan's federal corruption trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
  • October 17, 2024: A full jury is seated after a thorough selection process.
  • October 21, 2024: Opening statements are delivered in the trial. Prosecutors allege that Madigan exploited public trust by using his political influence to benefit utility companies in exchange for kickbacks and favors for his associates.
  • November 15, 2024: Former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis testifies, revealing he cooperated with federal investigators and secretly recorded conversations with Madigan as part of the investigation.

READ MORE: Madigan trial: Tapes reveal alleged bribery in Chinatown development deal

  • December 9, 2024: Solis concludes his testimony after 21 hours over six days.
  • December 18, 2024: The prosecution rests its case after presenting evidence, including secretly recorded conversations and testimonies from key witnesses.
  • January 8, 2025: The defense begins presenting its case, calling its first witnesses.
  • January 13, 2025: Madigan testifies in his own defense, denying any wrongdoing and emphasizing his commitment to his constituents.
  • January 16, 2025: The defense rests its case after seven days of testimony.
  • January 22, 2025: Closing arguments begin, with the prosecution presenting their case.
  • January 28, 2025: Defense wraps up closing arguments, and the case is handed over to the jury.
  • January 29, 2025: Jury deliberations begin in Madigan's federal corruption trial.

What's next:

The jury began deliberations on Jan. 29. Stay with FOX 32 for the latest updates when the verdict is announced.

The Source: Information in this article is from previous FOX 32 coverage. 

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