Mike Madigan trial: Star witness testifies in former Illinois House speaker trial

Fidel Marquez was questioned on the ComEd summer internship program Thursday.

Mike McClain would forward several requests from the 13th Ward to Marquez to place certain people or students in the program.

Many were during 2012 to 2015.

It was noted that a lot of the candidates had worked at the Madigan-Quinn Service Office or in the 13th Ward, and at least two of them were hired despite their low GPA.

At least six to 10 positions were given to students from the 13th Ward.

"It was done as a favor for Michael Madigan," Marquez said.

A recording was also played of a conversation between McClain and Marquez about a request from Andrew Madigan.

Marquez said he treated requests from Andrew as if they were coming from Mike Madigan.

Defense attorneys Thursday objected to the use of the word "patronage" at the beginning of the day.

The term was used when questioning Fidel Marquez Wednesday.

The judge noted Mike McClain had used it in a recording; so, it wasn't new.

But, the judge said prosecutors can't use it in a series of questions. They must provide some context and significance.

There is no court Friday or Monday due to Veterans Day.

After Thursday, court will resume Tuesday.

The prosecutors' star witness, Fidel Marquez, is testifying for the third day Thursday in the Madigan trial.

There was discussion about political fundraisers for the Democratic Party of Illinois, organized by Exelon and Reyes Kurson Law Firm.

Recordings and emails were shown regarding the contracts ComEd had with the Reyes Kurson Law Firm and the Roosevelt Group Consulting firm.

Requests were made by Mike McClain, on behalf of Madigan, to ComEd to increase the hours and therefore the compensation.

These requests were during heavy negotiations of the FEJA legislation.They also spoke about Anne Pramaggiore receiving a request to add Juan Ochoa to the ComEd Board of Directors.

Video recordings between Mike McClain and Fidel Marquez were played for the jury Wednesday.

In the videos, they discussed ComEd's renewal of the Doherty contract, and how to justify the amounts to the new CEO, Joe Dominguez.

An email was shown from Marquez to other ComEd staff.

It said, "We are changing some contract staff around."

Marquez was asked if he assigned Ed Moody additional duties.

He said, "No, because Ed Moody was hired as a favor to Michael Madigan. I had no expectations for Ed Moody performing any work for ComEd."

Around this same time, they were expecting a vote on the FEJA bill.

A consulting contract shown stated Doherty would be paid $32,500 per month.

Marquez also talked about how Eddie Acevedo was difficult to work with.

He said he told McClain Acevedo would have to change his behavior to be hired as a lobbyist.

Acevedo was hired, and paid $5,000 a month.

"He did little to no work," Marquez said.

Marquez discussed the hiring of Mike Zalewski, who did no work.

Recordings regarding his hiring was played in court.