Mike Madigan trial updates: Ex-speaker finishes testimony after tough prosecutor questioning

Trial lasting months

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Last updated: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 7:04PM GMT
Madigan finishes testimony after tough prosecutor questioning in trial
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan finished his testimony Tuesday after tough prosecutor questioning in his federal corruption trial.

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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Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 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.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Feb 03, 2025, 10:26 PM

Madigan defense attorneys building case

Madigan's defense is expected to consist of three witnesses, including his longtime 13th Ward assistant and a successful novelist, who at one time was the former speaker's top counsel. But, it was the real estate developer, who, in some ways, kicked off this whole investigation, who took the stand first.

It was July 18, 2017, when Madigan first met real estate developer Andy Cretal at his tax law firm office in the Loop. That meeting was, without either man's knowledge, being recorded by 22nd Ward Alderman-turned-government-mole Danny Solis.

At the time, Cretal was looking to build what are now the Union West apartments in the West Loop, Solis' ward. But, it wasn't until weeks earlier, when Madigan called Solis out of the blue asking for an introduction, that the FBI's ears perked up.

The phone call went as follows:

Solis: "Do you know the developer?"
Madigan: "Those people?"
Solis: "Do you know the, uh, people there?"
Madigan: "No, but I'd like to."

Madigan, along with his co-defendant, Mike McClain, are accused of running a criminal enterprise that sought to use his position in Springfield to enrich the speaker and his cronies, partly through illegally steering business to his law firm.

Another video played in court showed an exchange between Solis and Madigan.

Solis: "Did you want to meet?"
Madigan: "Over the phone, you made a comment that there, that there was a quid pro quo."
Solis: "Oh, I'm sorry, yeah."
Madigan: "Yeah."
Solis: "OK."
Madigan: "You shouldn't be talking like that. You're just recommending our law firm."

And yet, as McClain's defense rested Thursday morning, Madigan's attorneys called Andy Cretal to the stand, in the hopes his testimony will help them combat those allegations.

"Did you ever feel threatened, fearful or intimidated into hiring that law firm?" attorney Dan Collins asked.

"I did not," Cretal said.

And yet, during cross-examination, prosecutors asked Cretal if he was concerned that the development would not be authorized if they didn't hire Madigan's law firm.

"That was a concern of mine, yes," he said.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Madigan's former law partner on stand

Madigan's former law partner Bud Getzendanner is on the stand Tuesday afternoon.

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Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

ComEd manager of emergency preparedness testifies

A ComEd manager of emergency preparedness was next to testify as a defense witness.

Eric Duray was questioned about the ComEd-Roosevelt Group contract and then about the Jay Doherty contract.

Duray noted that there was no mention in any of the documents that subcontractors were getting paid in those two contracts.

He also said he had no knowledge of Ed Moody, Frank Moody, Ray Nice or Michael Zalewski, Jr.

Duray was also asked about the process of getting consultant contracts and renewal of contracts.

WLS logo
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

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.

WLS logo
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Madigan speaks on appointments

Madigan was also questioned about some of his recommendations and appointments.

At one point, Madigan bragged to Solis that he got an 11th Precinct captain appointment to Labor Relations after he recommended him to the Quinn administration, saying, "See, I got him appointed."

A prosecutor asked Madigan what he meant by that.

"I recommended him to the Quinn administration, and he got appointed," Madigan said Tuesday.

Madigan also helped Ray Nice get an appointment. In March 2015, Jesse White appointed Nice for an employment security position, which paid $15,000 a year.

Madigan also talked about the request he received to give Jeffrey Rush a "second chance" by helping him find a job.

Rush was fired by the Department of Corrections for having a relationship with an inmate.

Madigan attorney Dan Collins noted that that the hiring of Rush by Friends of Michael J. Madigan Hiring was in publicly filed documents.

Bhachu also asked about the effort to get a job for Jaime Andrade's wife.