Madigan Case Goes to the Jury

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s fate is officially in the hands of a federal jury after week-long closing arguments in his federal corruption trial wrapped Wednesday afternoon.

Capitol News Illinois reports the government got the last word, with the lead prosecutor calling Madigan and his co-defendant – quote – “grand masters of corruption.”

The feds allege Madigan and longtime Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain ran a criminal enterprise, engaging in bribery to enhance the speaker’s power while enriching their allies.

During the three-month-long trial, attorneys called more than 60 witnesses and introduced hundreds of secret recordings. In a surprise move, Madigan took the witness stand in his own defense earlier this month, though prosecutors used sections of that testimony in their closing arguments, claiming he lied to the jury.