Unexpected move could lengthen longtime House speaker’s case by weeks
CHICAGO – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will take the witness stand in his corruption trial – an unexpected revelation that will likely stretch the already lengthy trial into late January.
The longtime House speaker’s decision to testify is a risk, but it’s also a surprise, given the quiet demeanor that was emblematic of his five decades in Springfield, including 36 years as the longest-serving legislative leader in the country.
Madigan faces 23 counts in a case that frames his power in government, politics and as a partner in his law firm as a “criminal enterprise” meant to maintain and increase his power and enrich his allies. His co-defendant, longtime Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain, is accused on six related counts. Before the holiday break, McClain waived his own right to testify.
Prosecutors rested their case the week before Christmas after calling 50 witnesses and playing for the jury more than 150 wiretapped phone calls and videos secretly recorded by FBI cooperators. Attorneys had just finished questioning the eighth defense witness on Tuesday morning before the parties discussed a matter during a sidebar.
When U.S. District Judge John Blakey returned to the courtroom after a post-sidebar recess to his chambers, he asked Madigan if he could approach the bench. But he then changed his mind after attorneys said they needed to further research case law regarding whether the former speaker could testify in his own jury trial but not testify in a possible forfeiture bench trial if he is found guilty.
“So he’ll testify now?” Blakey asked Madigan attorney Dan Collins, who indicated that the former speaker would be the next witness.
Prior to the revelation, Madigan’s former law partner, Vincent “Bud” Getzendanner, was expected to testify on Tuesday. But Madigan’s time on the witness stand could take days or even weeks.
The former speaker has had at least one family present each day of trial
Madigan was indicted in March 2022 on nearly two dozen counts of racketeering, bribery, wire fraud and extortion. The feds allege Madigan helped electric utility Commonwealth Edison and telecom giant AT&T Illinois pass key pieces of legislation through Springfield in exchange for jobs and contracts for Madigan allies. Additionally, prosecutors say Madigan used his positions to recruit work for his property tax law firm.
McClain was charged alongside him, alleged to have acted as the conduit – and sometimes muscle – for multiple bribery schemes even beyond those pertaining to ComEd, which was his largest client as a contract lobbyist.
The former speaker’s trial began in October after two weeks of jury selection. Despite the high-profile nature of the case, most of the 12 jurors and six alternates ultimately chosen had never heard of Madigan.