Jury selection began Wednesday in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, once the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history.
Madigan, 83, faces charges in a sprawling racketeering and bribery case involving millions of dollars and Illinois’ largest utility, ComEd.
The Chicagoan, who resigned in 2021, is accused of using his powerful positions, including head of the state Democratic Party, to run a “criminal enterprise” aimed at increasing his wealth and political influence. A 23-count indictment against him includes charges of racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud and attempted extortion.
Federal prosecutors allege that Madigan leveraged his influence to push legislation favorable to ComEd in exchange for kickbacks, jobs, and contracts for his associates.
Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, a longtime confidant and former lobbyist, have both pleaded not guilty.
“I was never involved in any criminal activity,” Madigan said when the charges were announced in 2022.
The jury selection process commenced with more than 1,000 people summoned, eventually narrowing to approximately 180 prospective jurors.
Then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan speaks in Springfield on August 16, 2018. His upcoming trial will include evidence such as wiretapped conversations.
Rich Saal/The State Journal-Register via AP, File
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey described a “really good” turnout, with only two individuals absent and two dismissed for cause.
Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys are now questioning the remaining candidates, a process expected to yield a final panel of 12 jurors and six alternates before opening statements begin early next week.
The trial, projected to last three months, will feature testimony and evidence, including wiretapped conversations already disclosed in pretrial proceedings.
Madigan’s trial is considered one of the most significant corruption cases in recent years in Illinois, a state with a long history of public corruption.
Former Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich was convicted on multiple corruption charges, including attempting to sell or trade then-President Barack Obama‘s vacated Senate seat in 2008. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, though President Donald Trump commuted his sentence in 2020 after he had served about eight years.
Another governor, Republican George Ryan, was convicted in 2006 on charges of racketeering, bribery, and extortion related to a scandal during his time as Illinois Secretary of State, where state licenses were sold in exchange for bribes. He served over five years in federal prison.
A broad federal investigation has already resulted in several convictions, including Madigan’s former chief of staff and four ComEd officials implicated in a related bribery scheme.
Former Speaker Michael Madigan (C) presides over the Illinois House of Representatives on January 9, 2009. The investigation into Madigan saw more than 1,000 people summoned for jury duty.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
McClain and other ComEd representatives were convicted in a separate case but have not yet been sentenced.
Defense attorneys anticipate numerous challenges during jury selection due to Madigan’s high-profile status and decades-long tenure in Illinois politics.
First elected to the state Legislature in 1970, Madigan served as speaker from 1983 until 2021, except for two years when Republicans held the majority. He wielded considerable influence over the legislative process, controlling which bills advanced to a vote, managing campaign funds, and overseeing political redistricting.
Prosecutors claim that Madigan exploited this authority to build a network of loyalists who benefited financially from the arrangement with ComEd.
Despite the allegations, Madigan and his supporters have consistently maintained his innocence.
“The government is attempting to criminalize a routine constituent service,” he said in a statement in 2022, calling the charges “unfounded.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
