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Mike Madigan trial updates: Jury hears 1st of many undercover recordings in ex-speaker trial

Trial expected to last months

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Last updated: Monday, October 28, 2024 7:35PM GMT
Jury hears 1st of many undercover recordings in Madigan trial
Former Majority Leader Lou Lang took the stand Thursday in former Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan's corruption trial.

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

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 is expected to take several months.

Check back with ABC7 Chicago for live updates.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
WLS logo
Nov 20, 2024, 8:36 PM

State Rep. Bob Rita begins testimony

State Rep. Bob Rita began his testimony Thursday.

He testified for about 10 minutes before court was dismissed about 5 p.m.

Rita is a current state representative. He has been since 2003.

He represents the South Side of Chicago and some south suburbs.

He is chairman of the Executive Committee, and Madigan had appointed him as vice chair.

He's also chairperson for the Tollway Committee and Occupational Licensing Committee.

Rita's testimony will resume Monday.

Michelle Gallardo Image
ByMichelle Gallardo WLS logo
Nov 20, 2024, 8:36 PM

Jury hears 1st of many undercover recordings

Former House Speaker Mike Madigan's voice was heard for the first time in his trial during former Majority Leader Lou Lang's testimony Thursday, in an undercover phone call in which he is heard telling Mike McClain to ask Lang to resign, sooner rather than later.

Former Majority Leader Lou Lang took the stand Thursday in former Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan's corruption trial.

It was the first of some 200 undercover recordings that were captured.

In court Thursday, jurors heard McClain say on tape, "So, when do you want me to call Lang and just lower the boom on him?"

Madigan is heard saying, "Soon. Soon."

Then, there was a recording of McClain talking to Lang, saying "This is not just me talking. This is someone who cares deeply for you, who wants you to move on."

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Nov 20, 2024, 8:36 PM

Lou Lang finishes testimony after several hours

Former Majority Leader Lou Lang has finished his testimony after several hours Thursday.

He spoke to bills moving out of the Rules Committee, and said he respected Madigan as a leader.

Lang said Madigan did not respect him all the time.

He also said Madigan never instructed him on how to vote on a bill, but added that the speaker had tremendous power.

Lang was involved in the ComEd bills.

He said former state Rep. Scott Drury, who previously testified was not well-liked, and being well-liked helped move a bill.

Lang said Madigan did request for him to resign.

He said he "left because it was in my best interest and nobody else."

The jury is taking a lunch break, before the next witness.

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Nov 20, 2024, 8:36 PM GMT

State representative candidate calls for stronger ethics laws ahead of Madigan trial

Billy Morgan, Democratic candidate for state representative in Illinois' 79th District, is calling for stronger ethics laws ahead of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's corruption trial.

In a statement Tuesday, he said, "Every time a high-ranking Illinois official is hauled into court on corruption charges, it further erodes the public's trust in our leaders. We cannot have a functional government if we do not have an ethical government. The people of Illinois need to know their government is acting in the people's best interests, instead of auctioning off public policy to the highest bidder.

"We need stronger ethics laws, and we need to make sure our elected officials obey the laws that are already on the books. Just as importantly, voters need to hold politicians accountable when those elected officials shrug off their duty to follow the law."

Evelyn Holmes Image
ByEvelyn Holmes WLS logo
Nov 20, 2024, 8:36 PM GMT

Process to select jury in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's trial begins Tuesday

The jury selection process starts Tuesday in the trial of longtime former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

Tuesday prospective jurors will fill out questionnaires with the in-court portion of jury selection beginning on Wednesday.

Jury selection is expected to take several days, and is set to start at 1:30 p.m.

WLS logo
Nov 20, 2024, 8:36 PM GMT

What to expect from months-long Madigan trial

Jury selection will begin this week in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, whose half-century career and status as Illinois' most powerful politician ended nearly four years ago as the feds circled ever-closer to his inner circle.

Madigan was once considered the most powerful politician in Illinois, serving as House speaker for a total of 36 years. The 82-year-old ex-speaker faces bribery and racketeering charges - along with his longtime friend and powerful Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain - in a case that frames Madigan's power in government, politics and as a partner in his law firm as a criminal enterprise.

Jury selection begins this week in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The trial, which is scheduled to last through mid-December, is the culmination of more than a decade of digging by the FBI and prosecutors, and it's the final in a series of related cases that have played out in Chicago's federal courthouse over the last few years.

Opening statements in the case are likely to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 15, though Blakey this week said jury selection should take as long as it needs. The trial is scheduled through Dec. 13.

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