CHICAGO — Michael Madigan, once hailed as the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, was in federal custody this week on charges that he used his enormous influence to run a “criminal enterprise” and amass even more wealth and power. Appear in court.
The former Illinois House speaker is charged in a multimillion-dollar extortion and bribery scheme involving ComEd, the state’s largest utility company.
Much of the evidence, from wiretapped phone calls to videotaped meetings, has been released in open court. A sweeping public corruption investigation has already resulted in convictions of a lawmaker and Madigan’s former chief of staff.
But starting Tuesday, the spotlight shifts to the Chicago Democratic Party, once considered the most powerful force in Illinois politics, as potential jurors make their first court appearances.
“This is the top of the mountain, the very top,” said former federal prosecutor Phil Turner.
Let’s take a closer look at this case.
Mr. Madigan, who served as chairman for more than 30 years, is charged in a 23-count indictment with bribery, wire fraud and racketeering conspiracy for using interstate facilities to assist in attempted extortion.
Federal prosecutors allege that he used his role as chairman as well as other positions of power, including as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party. He is also suspected of profiting from private legal work illegally directed to his law firm. Mr. Madigan’s mission was to “increase political power and economic well-being while generating income for political allies and collaborators.”
For example, he is said to have used his influence to pass legislation favorable to the utility company ComEd. In return, ComEd offered Madigan supporters kickbacks, jobs and contracts.
Madigan’s longtime confidante, Michael McClain, 76, is also on trial and has already been convicted in another related case. Last year, a federal jury convicted McClain and three others in a bribery conspiracy involving ComEd.
Madigan, 82, has “categorically” denied any wrongdoing.
“I am not involved in any criminal activity,” he said when the indictment was announced in 2022.
The trial marks a stunning political fall for a leader whose tenure continued after three governors were jailed.
“This guy always had a reputation for being untouchable,” said Turner, who was not involved in the case.
Mr. Madigan, the son of a Chicago district chief, was first elected to Congress in 1970. He served as chairman from 1983 to 2021, except for two years when Republicans were in power.
Madigan represented the area southwest of downtown near Midway International Airport. Middle-class neighborhoods are his power base, and his supporters, many of whom are government salaried workers, made sure to show up to tour neighborhoods and register voters.
He set much of Illinois’ political agenda and determined which bills received votes. He controlled multiple political funds and could choose which candidates ran for office. Madigan also oversaw political mapping, ensuring boundaries favorable to Democrats.
“He becomes a party,” says Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Springfield. “It will be the Mike Madigan party.”
At the same time, he kept a low profile and preferred to work behind the scenes. Madigan wasn’t the type to participate in parades or ribbon cuttings. He famously did not have a cell phone.
His leadership was a throwback to the style of machine politics that Illinois was famous for in an era when patrons and party connections dominated jobs and construction projects.
Support for him began to crack after an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against his staff and details of a federal corruption probe revealed in late 2019.
By 2021, Madigan was unable to muster the votes needed to remain speaker. He resigned as a member of the Legislative Committee and as party chairman.
“He was by far the most influential politician in Illinois,” said Constance Mixon, a professor at Elmhurst College. “As governors go and Chicago mayors go, Madigan has been a constant in Illinois politics.”
More than 1,000 jury summons were mailed to potential jurors, and the jury pool was narrowed to about 180.
The defense is expected to object because of Madigan’s popularity. Another hurdle is the high level of distrust of politicians in Illinois.
“I don’t know if there’s anyone who hasn’t heard of Michael Madigan,” said defense attorney Gal Pisetzky, who is not involved in the case. “Jury selection is going to be very difficult.”
The trial was postponed for six months as the Supreme Court considers bribery laws at the heart of the case. In June, the U.S. High Court overturned a former Indiana mayor’s bribery conviction, stating that the law criminalizes bribes given before an official act, but not quid pro quos or “gratuities” given afterward. The court ruled that it was not.
Madigan’s lawyers argued that the ruling leaves the case against Madigan “constitutionally and otherwise fatally weak,” and asked for many of the charges against him to be dismissed.
But U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey last week rejected that effort along with a motion to try McClain individually, clearing the way for jury selection to begin in earnest on Wednesday.
Testimony is expected to last three months. Experts believe the government has a strong case. Defense attorneys will need to refute a wide range of evidence, including wiretaps on Madigan and others.
Madigan’s lawyers are seeking to play a longer version of the conversation, saying the fragments prosecutors want to play lack context.
“The defense has to fight,” Pisetzky said. “It’s very difficult to cross-examine the recordings.”
The timing means the process could extend well beyond the November election and into 2025.
Although Mr. Madigan is no longer in public office, the incident could have an impact on the public’s broader perception of politicians.
“Most members of Congress are not corrupt, but when these high-profile incidents occur, trust is further eroded,” Mixon said. “People are increasingly losing trust in government, becoming more cynical and apathetic.”
