Trial expected to last months
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.
A juror accidentally spoke with Madigan Tuesday.
The juror asked if she could take a chair, but did not realize she was addressing Madigan until she had already asked.
The judge told both parties not to converse.
Former ComEd VP Fidel Marquez testified Tuesday in the Madigan trial.
He's one of the government's main witnesses with respect to the ComEd bribery allegations.
Marquez is 62, and was employed by ComEd for 37 years.
He was charged in 2020 with conspiracy to commit bribery. He pleaded guilty, and entered into a plea agreement. The judge could impose five years in prison. His case still pending.
Marquez said he made a plea agreement to cooperate with the government. The agreement is to answer truthfully when questioned.
His cooperation began in 2019.
He agreed to record Mike McClain and others.
Marquez started as an intern at ComEd and rose through the ranks to become Senior VP for Governmental and External Affairs during 2012-2019.
He explained the lobbying work that ComEd did not only in Springfield, but also in Chicago, Cook County and in other municipalities. There was some discussion about the FEJA legislation and how beneficial it was to ComEd and Exelon. The Sunset bill and Senate Bill 9 were also addressed.
Prior to 2009, "The relationship with Madigan was not strong. It was not good."
He was under the understanding that "It would be difficult to pass legislation that ComEd was championing."
Chicago police Capt. Joe Lullo is testifying Tuesday in the Madigan trial.
Court resumed late due to Election Day.
The government focused on the positions some of the Chicago police precinct captains received while working in the 13th Ward. There were also internship opportunities for their children.
The defense portrayed Madigan as hard-working and taking care of his constituents.
Lullo said he worked 30 years in law enforcement.
He moved into the 13th Ward in 1974 or 1975. He met Madigan in 1989.
Lullo acknowledged that Madigan gave him and his family personal assistance. He agrees that he respected Madigan.
He said Madigan was very experienced, and in favor of working men and women, unions and fair wages.
Lullo said, "No one promised me a job."
He said he was motivated to help the community.
University of Illinois Chicago longtime political science professor and former Alderman Dick Simpson was on the stand Monday afternoon.
ComEd executive Keisha Parker testified earlier Monday.
She testified to helping Mike McClain, who was then an external lobbyist for the utility, to set up campaign fundraisers on behalf of Madigan and the Democratic Party of Illinois.
She also said she was part of setting up a contract for Ed Moody. Moody is one of the five men, all Madigan loyalists, identified by the U.S. Attorney's Office as being hired by ComEd through various subcontractors for little to no-work jobs allegedly worth over $1.3 million.
"I recall there not being enough funds in the government affairs budget," Parker said. "We had to work to secure additional funding, and we got information we would be covering from the CEO's budget."
Tuesday will be a short day, as the jury will be allowed to come in at 11 a.m. to have time to vote.
