The investigation that led to Michael Madigan’s indictment changed the course of Chicago history. It also prompted a historic trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse that began in October and gave jurors a front-row seat to raw Illinois politics as it was practiced in the previous decade.

The jury began their first full day of deliberations on Thursday - 14-and-a-half weeks after being seated in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's federal bribery and racketeering trial.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan collected a pension worth $158,000 in 2024 while facing a federal corruption trial in Chicago. Depending on the verdict, taxpayers could be on the hook for another $1 million to cover his remaining benefits.

As ComEd’s lead external lobbyist for years, McClain took Madigan’s job recommendations and referred them to leaders at the utility for consideration. McClain’s attorney Pat Cotter characterized the efforts as merely “favors” in closing arguments this week, which are allowed in the practice of lobbying.

Co-defendant Mike McClain's defense attorney said this trial is about lobbying and politics during closing arguments Tuesday. McClain is charged in only six of the 23 counts. Patrick Cotter highlighted that there is no key evidence that supports the government's theory that there was bribery and conspiracy.

Madigan faces a 23-count indictment in federal court, charging him with racketeering conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion.

Defense attorney Patrick Cotter made the comment in the midst of his nearly five-hour closing argument Tuesday in the corruption trial of Michael Madigan and Michael McClain. Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Wednesday.

Nearly four months after they were first called to Chicago’s federal courthouse, jurors have begun deliberating in the most consequential Illinois public corruption case in years: the racketeering case of former House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidante,

The first full day of jury deliberations is taking place Thursday downtown for Michael Madigan’s federal racketeering trial. Jurors did not have much time to deliberate Wednesday

A federal jury began deliberations Wednesday afternoon in the trial of Michael Madigan, the former Illinois House speaker charged with several counts of corruption, bribery and racketeering.

Jurors heard almost 150 secret recordings in Madigan’s trial, including phone calls with co-defendant Michael McClain and conversations with government mole Danny Solis.