Author: Jim Talamonti | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – Jurors started deliberating at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Chicago. Judge John Robert Blakey handed the case to the jury shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. The judge first provided a few final instructions about communications and asked…

(The Center Square) – Closing arguments by defense attorneys are expected to finish Tuesday at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain in Chicago. Madigan attorney Dan Collins wrapped up his final arguments on behalf of the former speaker Monday afternoon. Collins reminded the jury that the indictment…

(The Center Square) – Chicago Public Schools officials incorrectly said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents attempted to enter a South Side elementary school Friday and were turned away. After CPS made the announcement, ICE released a statement saying that its agents had not visited the school. Instead, school officials turned away U.S. Secret Service…

(The Center Square) – Michael Madigan’s defense team has begun closing arguments at the former Illinois House speaker’s corruption trial in Chicago. Madigan attorney Dan Collins opened Friday afternoon by quoting his client, who has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of corruption. “When people ask for help, if possible, I try to help them,”…

(The Center Square) – Prosecutors say the “Make Mike Madigan Money Plan” helped the former Illinois House speaker’s law firm gain profits. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur coined the phrase during closing arguments Thursday afternoon at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021 and…

(The Center Square) – Closing arguments have begun at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Chicago. “Power and profit,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz said Wednesday afternoon as she started her address to the jury on behalf of the government. “Michael Madigan and Michael McClain conspired to preserve Madigan’s…

(The Center Square) – Closing arguments are set to begin Wednesday at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Chicago. Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct in a trial that began with jury selection on Oct. 8. Chicago attorney Sam…

(The Center Square) – Some Illinois lawmakers are expressing hope that the General Assembly will get serious about ethics reform in 2025. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is the latest in a long line of state politicians to go on trial for alleged corruption. Madigan and former lawmaker-turned-lobbyist Michael McClain pleaded not guilty…

(The Center Square) – Jurors are expected to receive a long list of instructions from the judge at former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s bribery and racketeering trial in Chicago. Judge John Robert “Jack” Blakey said he planned to work on jury instructions over the weekend before meeting with prosecutors and defense attorneys. With jurors…

(The Center Square) – Assistant U.S. Attorney Amar Bhachu has completed the government’s cross-examination of Michael Madigan at the former Illinois House speaker’s bribery and racketeering trial in Chicago. Madigan testified that he helped draft the Illinois Constitution and voted in favor of bribery, misconduct and legislative misconduct statutes, in addition to amendments to those…