Michael Madigan's corruption trial begins with harsh opening statements from prosecutors

CHICAGO - After a jury selection process that lasted nearly a week, one of the most highly anticipated political corruption trials in Illinois history began at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Monday.

Federal prosecutors wasted no time getting to the heart of their case against former longtime Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker began her opening statement by telling jurors, "this is a case about corruption at the highest levels of state government."

Madigan was seated at the defense table just a few feet from Streicker as she called him the most powerful politician in the state of Illinois over decades until Madigan gave up the speaker's gavel in 2021. Streicker told jurors they would present evidence, including "witness testimony, documents, emails, and recordings, which show the defendants carrying out the crimes in real time."

Over the course of more than two hours, Streicker gave jurors a preview of the case prosecutors plan to lay out against Madigan and his longtime friend, Michael McClain, who is also standing trial. Both are facing 23 federal counts of racketeering, bribery, wire fraud, and extortion.

Prosecutors said they will highlight five instances of Madigan illegally trading on his political power, including an alleged shakedown of utility giant ComEd for no-show jobs for Madigan's political cronies in return for Madigan's help in passing favorable legislation.

"From 2011 to 2019, Madigan abused his power and used the organizations he led in a pattern of corruption over and over again," said Streicker. "This was the defendant’s racket, the corruption of public office for private gain."

But Madigan’s defense attorney, Tom Breen, painted a very different picture for jurors.

"I think you’re gonna' see he’s a good guy. An honest guy," Breen said during his opening statement.

Breen suggested that prosecutors are overzealous and are criminalizing good old-fashioned politics.

"They looked through a keyhole and made decisions. We’re asking you to open the door and look at the entire room," said Breen. "If you’re someone looking for a job, (Madigan) will help you get a job. He’ll do it for his political supporters, but he’ll also do it for a man on the street."

Also in the courtroom watching the first day of the trial was Madigan‘s daughter, Lisa, the former Illinois attorney general.

The trial resumes Tuesday morning with opening statements from McClain’s lawyer. Then, prosecutors are expected to begin presenting evidence, with an early focus on the alleged ComEd shakedown.

The trial is expected to last 11 weeks.