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Mike Madigan trial LIVE updates: Judge denies defense motion to exclude some evidence

Trial expected to last months

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Last updated: Thursday, October 31, 2024 10:11PM GMT
Ex-aide Will Cousineau testifies for 3rd day
Ex-aide Will Cousineau testifies for 3rd dayLongtime Madigan aide Will Cousineau returned to the stand for a third day.

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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Oct 31, 2024, 6:21 PM

Jury learns of 'magic list' of Madigan supporters

The jury learned about a "magic list" of Madigan supporters.

Mike McClain drafted a "magic list" of people who had helped Madigan.

Will Cousineau admitted he saw it with a letterhead of the Talbot Hotel in Chicago. It was handwritten.

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Oct 31, 2024, 5:40 PM

Judge denies defense motion to exclude some evidence

Thursday began in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's federal corruption trial with a motion to exclude some evidence.

Defense attorneys filed a motion to exclude any references to the creation of documents and phone calls about tax issues with Kevin Quinn.

A judge denied a defense motion to exclude some evidence in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's federal corruption trial Thursday.

There are about seven tax issue calls between Mike McClain and Will Cousineau. In one of those phone calls, McClain asks the speaker if he should let Quinn's brother know about the financial arrangements. Kevin is Ald. Marty Quinn's brother.

But, the government maintains this is critical to establish the arrangements of payments to Quinn.

They argue that it points to the concealment of documents in the case.

The government argues that this is about compensating a political ally, and trying to conceal the payments that are not for legitimate work.

The judge denied the motion, and also noted that the motion was not timely.

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Oct 24, 2024, 11:01 PM GMT

Jury hears 1st of many undercover recordings

Former House Speaker Mike Madigan's voice was heard for the first time in his trial during former Majority Leader Lou Lang's testimony Thursday, in an undercover phone call in which he is heard telling Mike McClain to ask Lang to resign, sooner rather than later.

Former Majority Leader Lou Lang took the stand Thursday in former Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan's corruption trial.

It was the first of some 200 undercover recordings that were captured.

In court Thursday, jurors heard McClain say on tape, "So, when do you want me to call Lang and just lower the boom on him?"

Madigan is heard saying, "Soon. Soon."

Then, there was a recording of McClain talking to Lang, saying "This is not just me talking. This is someone who cares deeply for you, who wants you to move on."

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Oct 24, 2024, 7:42 PM GMT

Lou Lang finishes testimony after several hours

Former Majority Leader Lou Lang has finished his testimony after several hours Thursday.

He spoke to bills moving out of the Rules Committee, and said he respected Madigan as a leader.

Lang said Madigan did not respect him all the time.

He also said Madigan never instructed him on how to vote on a bill, but added that the speaker had tremendous power.

Lang was involved in the ComEd bills.

He said former state Rep. Scott Drury, who previously testified was not well-liked, and being well-liked helped move a bill.

Lang said Madigan did request for him to resign.

He said he "left because it was in my best interest and nobody else."

The jury is taking a lunch break, before the next witness.

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Oct 24, 2024, 4:58 PM GMT

Former Majority Leader Lou Lang takes stand

Former Majority Leader Lou Lang took the stand Thursday morning.

He's expected to talk about his resignation.

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Oct 24, 2024, 1:34 PM GMT

FBI agent set to take stand

An FBI agent is expected to testify Thursday in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.
The agent helped wiretap hundreds of phone conversations between Madigan and his co-defendant Mike McClain.
Former state Representative Lou Lang is also expected to take the stand.