Mike Madigan trial updates: Defense begins closing arguments in federal corruption trial

Trial lasting months

WLS logo
Last updated: Monday, January 27, 2025 5:21PM GMT
Madigan defense begins closing arguments in corruption trial
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's defense began their closing arguments in his federal corruption trial Friday.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The corruption trial for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues.

Madigan had been indicted on federal racketeering and bribery charges as a part of what federal prosecutors call "the Madigan enterprise," where they say he allegedly committed crimes for his personal gain and that of his political allies.

The blockbuster trial has taken several months.

Check back with ABC7 Chicago for live updates.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Michelle Gallardo Image
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM

Defense begins closing arguments

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's defense team began their final presentation to the jury just after lunch Friday, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.

His attorney asked the jury to see Madigan not as a mythical figure, a Sphinx, as he was called by some, but as a man and fellow citizen.

"The indictment is not evidence. It's just a document," defense attorney Dan Collins said. "Just because the government says it, does not make it so."

While embarking on a point by point takedown of the corruption and bribery accusations against the former Illinois House speaker, Collins said prosecutors failed to meet their burden in proving any of the charges against him, calling their arguments misleading.

"The government relies on your cynicism," Collins said.

Earlier Friday, however, in wrapping up the government's closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur told the jury, "We have proven to you beyond a reasonable doubt each of the counts alleged in the indictment. Madigan and McClain are guilty of each count in which they are charged."

MacArthur also made the point that in order to find Madigan, and his co-defendant Mike McClain, guilty of racketeering, which is the 23-count indictment's umbrella charge, the focus is not on whether all the elements of the crime were committed.

Instead, it's on the agreement between the parties to participate in a criminal enterprise that affects interstate commerce by committing at least two criminal acts within a specified timeframe.

"Madigan and McClain worked together for eight years as an ongoing unit. They talked constantly. They met regularly. They supported each other. One gave the orders, the other executed them," MacArthur said.

Madigan's final presentation will continue well into Monday.

The judge told the jury not to expect to start their deliberations before Tuesday.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Defense begins closing arguments

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's defense team began their final presentation to the jury just after lunch Friday, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.

His attorney asked the jury to see Madigan not as a mythical figure, a Sphinx, as he was called by some, but as a man and fellow citizen.

"The indictment is not evidence. It's just a document," defense attorney Dan Collins said. "Just because the government says it, does not make it so."

While embarking on a point by point takedown of the corruption and bribery accusations against the former Illinois House speaker, Collins said prosecutors failed to meet their burden in proving any of the charges against him, calling their arguments misleading.

"The government relies on your cynicism," Collins said.

Earlier Friday, however, in wrapping up the government's closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur told the jury, "We have proven to you beyond a reasonable doubt each of the counts alleged in the indictment. Madigan and McClain are guilty of each count in which they are charged."

MacArthur also made the point that in order to find Madigan, and his co-defendant Mike McClain, guilty of racketeering, which is the 23-count indictment's umbrella charge, the focus is not on whether all the elements of the crime were committed.

Instead, it's on the agreement between the parties to participate in a criminal enterprise that affects interstate commerce by committing at least two criminal acts within a specified timeframe.

"Madigan and McClain worked together for eight years as an ongoing unit. They talked constantly. They met regularly. They supported each other. One gave the orders, the other executed them," MacArthur said.

Madigan's final presentation will continue well into Monday.

The judge told the jury not to expect to start their deliberations before Tuesday.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Defense to begin closing arguments

Defense attorneys are expected to begin closing arguments Friday, after prosecutors wrapped up.

It was not clear if Madigan's or McClain's attorneys would go first.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Closing arguments continue slowly

Closing arguments are continuing slowly.

Government prosecutors ended the day still making their final presentation to the jury.

It's a presentation that will go well into Friday.

Once the government finishes its closing argument, the baton will be handed over to Madigan's co-defendant Mike McClain's defense team.

At this point, it appears unlikely the former speaker's attorneys will have their say until sometime Monday.

WLS logo
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Prosecutors highlight Madigan's interactions with Solis

Assistant U.S. State's Attorney Diane MacArthur said Madigan attracted clients to his law firm with former Ald. Danny Solis' help.

She said Madigan used Solis' official position to get meetings with developers, who had pending business with the Zoning Committee.

"The crime is not that he made profits, but the way he committed the crime because he used official action to get things done," MacArthur said.

Macarthur also reviewed evidence like "quid pro quo" phone calls and video recordings about the attempted extortion in the Union West Development.

She told the jury that at the end of the day, "it's about money."

MacArthur told the jury, Madigan could have stopped the Union West Development land transfer, but instead he decided to move forward with it.

She said the illegal exchange is like a wrong-way sign on a highway ramp that signals you to turn around.

But, "Madigan didn't turn around; he moved forward," she said.

The developer would give Madigan tax business if Madigan helped them with the transfer, Macarthur said.

When talking about Madigan and McClain's relationship, she said, "McClain was Madigan's agent, not a lobbyist."