Mike Madigan trial updates: Government rests, defense builds case in ex-speaker trial

Trial expected to last months

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Last updated: Thursday, December 19, 2024 6:22PM GMT
Government rests, defense builds case in Madigan trial
The government has rested, and the defense is building its case in ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's federal 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.
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Jan 28, 2025, 3:21 PM

Prosecution rests case

Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday morning, after months of testimony.

The government formally rested just minutes after the jury was seated.

After this week, the jury will be off for the holidays, and return Jan. 2.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:04 PM GMT

Lobbyist Ryan McCreery testifies

Lobbyist Ryan McCreery took the stand first Tuesday.

He was the former deputy director for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

He was also a former aide to lobbyist Nancy Kimme.

He now owns his own firm.

He helped draft legislation and the amendment language for a Chinatown land transfer bill.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:04 PM GMT

Defense wants count dismissed

The defense team for former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan wants the judge to dismiss one of the criminal counts against him.

That count claims Madigan used his influence to get AT&T to pay former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo more than $20,000 for a no-work consulting contract.

The defense wants a count dismissed against ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in his federal corruption trial.

Prosecutors want to call Acevedo to the stand Wednesday.

His attorney said Acevedo has been diagnosed with dementia, and is not competent to testify.

The judge said he'll decide on that and the AT&T count later Tuesday.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Jan 22, 2025, 9:04 PM GMT

Former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo has dementia, may not testify

Former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo has dementia and may not testify.

Sentenced to six months in prison for tax evasion, Acevedo is a one-time member of Madigan's leadership team, who went on to collect $120,000 from ComEd, and another $22,500 from AT&T for what were essentially no-work consulting jobs prosecutors say he obtained thanks to Madigan's influence.

Jurors heard a phone call from Nov. 20, 2018, between John Bradley and Mike McClain.

"The other two, I don't hear much out of 'em unless Eddie Acevedo doesn't get his check within 12 hours of when he thinks he's supposed to get it," Bradley said.

"Yeah, he's something. Isn't he?" McClain said.

But, while Acevedo is being compelled to testify, in court Monday, his attorney said the former state representative has been diagnosed with dementia. Judge John Blakey said he will interview him personally before making a determination.

The judge's decision regarding Acevedo's testimony could determine whether the government is able to wrap up its case against Madigan this week or next at the Dirksen Federal Building.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Jan 22, 2025, 9:04 PM GMT

Email reveals Pritzker staff's nickname for Madigan

Monday was an unusually short day in the corruption trial of Michael Madigan.

But, it did reveal the nickname Governor-elect JB Pritzker's staff had given the then-speaker by late 2018.

An email was sent to Pritzker on Dec. 4, 2018 that said, "Attached is a most recent Sphinx list of recommendations ahead of your meeting today."

Downstate Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, who at the time was senior advisor to the incoming governor, sent the email.

On the stand Monday, Budzinski said she did not know why the nickname was given, but stated the governor's office gave "serious consideration" to the people recommended for jobs by the speaker. But, she insisted those on Madigan's list were far from a slam dunk.

"We did a lot of due diligence. We had a very thorough vetting process," Budzinski said.