Michael Madigan trial: Defense rests its case in federal court

CHICAGO - The defense team for Michael Madigan rested its case Thursday as the months-long federal corruption trial enters one of its final legs.

Closing arguments in the trial of the former longtime Illinois House Speaker are expected to begin next Wednesday.

The case against Madigan

Why you should care:

Prosecutors said Madigan used his influence as the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and the head of the Democratic Party of Illinois to accumulate power and benefit his private law practice.

Among other schemes, he used his influence in state government to get legislation passed that was favorable to companies, like ComEd, in exchange for benefits like no-show jobs for allies.

Prosecutors played multiple secret recordings made by witnesses like Danny Solis, a former Chicago alderman and chair of the city’s powerful Zoning Committee.

Solis told jurors during several hours of testimony that he met with Madigan about projects in his ward as the then-speaker sought business for his private tax firm. He said he wanted to "curry favor" with Madigan by introducing him to real estate developers who could become clients. The former alderman agreed to cooperate with federal investigators to avoid prison time for admitted wrongdoing, including bribery.

Earlier this month, Madigan made a surprising move by taking the witness stand to testify in his own defense, a rare move for a criminal defendant, especially for a man known to rarely speak publicly.

He denied ever trading his public office for private gain.

Fall from power

The backstory:

Madigan, 82, served for 50 years in the state legislature representing a district on the Southwest Side of Chicago. He held the position of speaker for all but two years between 1983 and 2021, when he was forced out by fellow Democrats amid the federal investigation that ultimately led to his corruption trial. He also resigned his seat in the House in 2021.

He was the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history.

Federal prosecutors announced the federal indictment of Madigan in March of 2022. 

Madigan also served as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois from 1988 until he resigned that post in 2021. As chair of the party, Madigan had influence over where the party would allocate its resources for state and local elections.

Illinois Republicans routinely cast Madigan as a kingmaker and attempted to tie many Democratic candidates to him.

During much of his political career, Madigan also worked at his private law practice as a property tax attorney.