mike madigan

Jury back in court after extended holiday break in former IL House Speaker Michael Madigan trial

Closing arguments could start as soon as next Monday

Monday, January 6, 2025 11:05PM

Closing arguments could start as soon as next Monday in Madigan trial

Closing arguments could start as soon as next Monday in the Madigan trial.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- For the first time in nearly three weeks, the jury in Michael Madigan's corruption trial was back in court after an extended holiday break.

The jury Monday got to hear prosecutors cross-examine the former Illinois speaker's then-chief legal counsel: now appellate court Justice and crime novelist David Ellis.

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Ellis is one of the witnesses called by Madigan's defense team, as they try to refute the government's claims that Madigan ran a decade-long criminal enterprise designed to enrich himself and his political cronies.

Ellis, along with Justin Cox, another former chief counsel for the then-speaker, testified to their roles negotiating legislation involving ComEd and AT&T, both of which are central to the government's corruption and bribery case against Madigan and Mike McClain.

"AT&T wanted total relief. We didn't want to go that far," Cox said.

He told Madigan's defense team that the speaker's office made sure consumers' interests were put ahead of the utility companies when it came to negotiating legislation, adding that Madigan never instructed him "to go easy" on them.

Cox also testified to Madigan's practice of not voting on any bills that might pose a conflict-of-interest related to his private law firm, Madigan and Getzendanner.

No-work jobs with ComEd and AT&T given in exchange for help getting legislation approved and large business contracts steered toward Madigan's law firm are just some of the benefits prosecutors say he illegally procured during his time as speaker.

Madigan's defense team has said they have witnesses scheduled through Wednesday, including his former law partner, Bud Getzendanner.

With at least two to three days more of testimony expected, closing arguments could begin as early as next Monday at the Dirksen Federal Building.

Neither Madigan nor McClain are expected to take the stand in their own defense.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the bribery and racketeering charges against them.