Closing arguments continue slowly in corruption trial of former IL House Speaker Michael Madigan

Michelle Gallardo Image
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Closing arguments continue in Madigan corruption trial
Closing arguments continue Thursday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Much like the rest of the trial, closing arguments in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's federal corruption trial are going long.

Government prosecutors ended the day still making their final presentation to the jury.

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It's a presentation that will go well into Friday.

Madigan arrived in court Thursday on the second day of the government's closing arguments, which continued, with an exhaustive retelling of the evidence presented over the last three months, including the re-playing of a 2017 wiretapped phone call between the then-speaker and former Alderman Danny Solis.

The call, which launched the entire investigation against Madigan, is, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur, direct evidence of how Madigan over the years used Solis' position, not only as alderman, but as chairman of City Council's Zoning Committee to get introductions to real estate developers that might hire his tax law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner.

READ MORE | Closing arguments begin in corruption trial of former IL House Speaker Michael Madigan

Some of those introductions were recorded by Solis himself, after turning government-mole.

"Madigan didn't turn around. He kept moving forward," said MacArthur Thursday, as she exposed example after example of the speaker ignoring Solis' overtly blunt language, including the use of the words "quid pro quo."

Eight of the 23 criminal counts against Madigan relate to what the government says was the use of his position in government to enrich himself personally.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz wrapped up her arguments before MacArthur took over.

Schwartz focused on the conspiracy and bribery charges that Madigan and McClain are facing in connection to ComEd and AT&T.

She also portrayed Madigan as a liar for making inconsistent statements.

Once the government finishes its closing argument, the baton will be handed over to Madigan's co-defendant Mike McClain's defense team.

At this point, it appears unlikely the former speaker's attorneys will have their say until sometime Monday.

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