Mike Madigan trial live updates: Jury enters 3rd day of deliberations in corruption trial

Madigan and McClain walked into court just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

As the court was called to session, the judge said a juror asked if they keep the trial notes. The judge ruled that jurors will have to destroy all notes.

Asst U.S. Attorneys Julia Schwartz and Diane MacArthur are expected to do closing arguments.

New government exhibits were admitted as evidence.

By 10:20 a.m. the jury had been seated and the jury instructions began shortly after.

Closing arguments are expected to begin Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Court is expected to resume at 9 a.m.

Former federal prosecutor Chris Hotaling joined ABC7 to discuss key points presented by the prosecution and the defense.

Closing arguments are expected Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The defense rested its case Thursday in Mike Madigan's federal corruption trial

Both Madigan's attorneys and Mike McClain's attorneys also filed motions for acquittal, which were denied.

The judge also denied McClain's motion to sever his case from Madigan's.

The jury will return Wednesday morning for closing arguments, which are expected to last three days.

Heather Wier Vaught's testimony has wrapped up after a wide array of questions.

Madigan's attorney asked her if the former speaker ever recommended a particular person to her for consideration for a job.

She said, "yes."

It happened a dozen or so times, Wier Vaught said.

She said it was never a demand.

Wier Vaught said she communicated with the Getzendanner law firm at least once a month to ensure that there was no conflict of interest between their clients/potential clients and the speaker of the House.

Wier Vaught was asked about the FEJA (Future Energy Jobs Act) legislation and its passage on Dec. 1, 2016.

She also testified how she advised that they combine the COLR (Carrier of Last Resort) bill with the 911 reform. Wier Vaught recommended moving the bill to Madigan. The bill was eventually called, and it passed.

She said the speaker generally followed her recommendations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur asked Wier Vaught if the speaker of the House had the ultimate authority to call or not call a bill on the House floor.

She said, "yes."

She was also questioned by the prosecution about her reaching out to Madigan aide Will Cousineau the day the FBI raided McClain's house in 2019. They met on a bench at the Illinois State Library.

When asked about the Rauner-Madigan relationship, Wier Vaught said, "We were in the middle of a political war."

At one point during the negotiations, Wier Vaught told Madigan that McClain was driving her crazy.

Madigan said "Treat McClain like a lobbyist."

Wier Vaught said she represented Madigan as the speaker of the House but also in different capacities.

She represented the 13th Ward and the Friends of Michael J. Madigan.