Mike Madigan trial updates: Madigan's fate now in hands of the jury in corruption trial

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."

Closing arguments continue for a second day.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz wrapped up her arguments, and Diane MacArthur will take over after lunch.

Schwartz focused on the conspiracy and bribery charges that Madigan and McClain are facing in connection to ComEd and AT&T.

She also portrayed Madigan as a liar for making inconsistent statements.

Prosecutors broke down the 117-page 23-count indictment for the jury.

Schwartz identified the five episodes of racketeering activity that have been covered over the course of the trial, and then went through a detailed point-by-point explanation of the first and most extensive of those episodes.

One involved ComEd and the allegations that the utility company bribed Madigan in exchange for his help getting crucial legislation approved in Springfield.

"For years, Madigan used ComEd as his personal piggybank: a place to park his people," said Schwartz, as she re-played for the jury just some of the countless wiretapped phone calls presented during the trial.

"This is their opportunity to put it all together in a timeline, so that people know that when there was a call, then there was an action. And that brings, if you're the government, that brings the quid pro quo together. And so, that's their challenge," former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins said.

Collins prosecuted Gov. George Ryan in 2005 and 2006. Speaking at the courthouse Wednesday afternoon, Collins also weighed in on jury deliberations.

"I think what happens in longer cases, particularly when a defendant takes the stand, the jurors are either going to accept Mr. Madigan's testimony or not. And that will make it, I think, a shorter deliberation, one way or another," Collins said.

The government's closing is expected to take up most of the day Thursday before moving on to both Madigan and McClain.

Prosecutors began closing arguments Wednesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz opened her closing arguments by stressing power and profit.

The most powerful politician in Illinois controlled the flow of legislation and campaign financing, she said.

He abused his power, she said.

And, along with his right-hand man Michael McClain, they were working not for the people of Illinois but to enhance and preserve Madigan's power, she said.