Day 12 of Madigan Trial

A federal jury in Chicago Thursday saw dozens of emails detailing electric utility Commonwealth Edison’s efforts to find jobs for those recommended by former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Capitol News Illinois reports ComEd executives worked hard to place people recommended by Madigan even if they didn’t have proper qualifications, or — in the words of the utility’s former chief lobbyist — “bombed” the interview.

That former lobbyist, Fidel Marquez, was the recipient of most of the emails pressuring ComEd to hire the Madigan allies. Marquez became an FBI cooperating witness in early 2019 and has been on the witness stand in Madigan’s bribery and racketeering trial since Tuesday.

Prosecutors allege Madigan solicited bribes in the form of jobs and contracts for his allies at ComEd in exchange for favorable legislation in Springfield.