Mike Madigan trial updates: Defense rests case in federal corruption trial

Trial lasting months

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Last updated: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 9:04PM GMT
Defense rests case in trial of former Illinois House Speaker Madigan
The defense rested its case in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's bribery and corruption trial on Thursday.

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.
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Jan 22, 2025, 9:08 PM

Defense rests case

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.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:08 PM

Madigan wraps up testimony

Madigan finished his testimony Tuesday afternoon, after making the surprising decision to take the stand in his own defense.

It's still not clear if his gamble will pay off.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:08 PM GMT

Defense rests case

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.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:08 PM GMT

Heather Wier Vaught testimony wraps up after wide array of questions

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.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:08 PM GMT

Madigan's chief legal counsel begins testimony

Madigan's Chief Legal Counsel Heather Wier Vaught began her testimony.

She started her job for Madigan in 2006.

She lives in LaGrange Park, and is now an attorney, lobbyist and political consultant.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:08 PM GMT

FBI Agent Ryan McDonald takes stand

FBI Agent Ryan McDonald took the stand first Wednesday.

Before court began, attorneys were talking about former Alderman-turned-government-mole Danny Solis' testimony.

They said he leaked information to a Chicago Sun-Times reporter, but denied speaking to her on the stand.