CHICAGO — Michael Madigan, once the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, took the extraordinary step of testifying in his own corruption trial on Tuesday, marking a significant moment for the former Illinois House speaker and a man once deemed the most influential politician in the state.
This trial, which has stretched over three months, has uncovered intricate details surrounding numerous alleged schemes attributed to Madigan, both in his public duties and his private profession as a tax attorney. Evidence presented has included extensive recordings captured by a former alderman, who became an FBI informant.
On the stand, the notoriously private Madigan—who famously does not use email or possess a cellphone—chose to share personal anecdotes from his childhood and his dedication to a life of public service. He spoke earnestly about his desire to assist others when they reached out to him for help, asserting, “When people asked me for help, if possible, I tried to help them,” as he donned a grey suit and made eye contact with the jury.
His defense attorney asked probing questions regarding whether Madigan had ever exchanged his public service for personal gain or received valuable items in return for official actions. Each time, Madigan confidently replied, “No.” His decision to testify was unexpected and caught the attention of many political analysts.
As news spread about Madigan’s afternoon testimony, the federal courtroom in downtown Chicago filled quickly, including an overflow space designated for public viewing.
Facing a 23-count indictment, Madigan is accused of serious offenses, including bribery, racketeering, and wire fraud. The prosecution alleges that he exploited his powerful position to further his own interests, both as speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, while also directing private tax business to his law firm. His alleged wrongdoing reportedly involved leveraging his influence to pass legislation that benefitted the electric utility ComEd, which in return allegedly provided kickbacks, jobs, and contracts to those loyal to him.
To support their case, prosecutors have summoned numerous former aides, legislators, business leaders, and even a congresswoman to detail Madigan’s extensive power and influence. He played a vital role in shaping Illinois’ political landscape, having the authority to decide which bills would go to a vote. In addition to managing several political funds and handpicking candidates, he was involved in the critical process of redistricting, creating maps that favored Democrats.
While on the stand, Madigan reflected on his earlier years, including his initial roles within city services, such as working on a garbage truck. He also touched upon his family life, mentioning his wife and their children, with one of his daughters, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, present in the courtroom.
Defense lawyers aimed to present Madigan in a more relatable light, referring to him as “Mike” during their questioning. He reminiscenced about his challenging upbringing in a middle-class neighborhood near Midway International Airport, sharing memories of an alcoholic father and limited choices regarding his education and career. He described the household he grew up in as lacking warmth, stating, “In that house my parents never told me that they loved me. They never embraced. They never hugged.”
Additionally, Madigan started addressing his leadership role as the House speaker, a topic that defense attorneys are anticipated to scrutinize further. The trial, which commenced in October, is expected to carry on until late January.
Alongside Madigan, his longtime associate Michael McClain is also facing trial. McClain has previously been convicted in a related bribery case involving ComEd, part of a broader investigation into public corruption that has led to several other convictions, including those of legislators and Madigan’s former chief of staff.
