Ray Long

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago during his ongoing corruption trial, Jan. 7, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan is walking a tightrope by testifying. Will the gamble pay off?

January 12, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Four years after resigning his seat in the legislature amid a burgeoning federal corruption investigation, Madigan is banking on his word once again and rolling the dice by testifying at...

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, foreground, exits after a day in his and former lobbyist Michael McClain's corruption trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, Jan. 8, 2025. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Madigan testifies he ‘would not be involved in a quid pro quo’

January 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a...

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after taking the stand in his own public corruption trial on Jan. 7, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

‘Did you ever trade your public office for private gain?’: Ex-Speaker Madigan takes stand in own defense at landmark corruption trial

January 7, 2025 at 8:48 p.m.

In a stunning and risky move, ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan takes the stand in his own public corruption trial.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 6, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Ex-chief counsel to Madigan testifies speaker had conflict-of-interest protocols

January 6, 2025 at 7:36 p.m.

Lawyers for Michael Madigan said they intend to show that his offices had protocols meant to prevent public-private conflicts of interest.

The Illinois Reform Commission, chaired by former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins, second from left, unsuccessfully proposed in 2009 that state and local law enforcement should be allowed to use wiretaps to pursue corruption investigations. David Hoffman, then Chicago’s inspector general, is at left. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)

Corruption has burdened Illinois since its earliest days. But change is possible. Here’s how.

December 22, 2024 at 8:49 a.m.

Illinois' culture of corruption may leave many feeling hopeless. But elected officials, from Gov. JB Pritzker to township trustees, have the power to make a difference.

Former precinct captain Ed Moody leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after testifying in the corruption trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan and former lobbyist Michael McClain on Nov. 20, 2024. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

‘This is how I award my good soldiers’: Ex-precinct captain testifies Madigan gave him yearly $45,000 do-nothing consulting contract

November 20, 2024 at 6:15 p.m.

Ed Moody, a former powerhouse precinct captain in the 13th Ward Democratic organization, took the stand Wednesday against his ex-boss Michael Madigan and answered a question at the center of...

All Stories

Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan is walking a tightrope by testifying. Will the gamble pay off?

Madigan testifies he ‘would not be involved in a quid pro quo’

‘Did you ever trade your public office for private gain?’: Ex-Speaker Madigan takes stand in own defense at landmark corruption trial

Ex-chief counsel to Madigan testifies speaker had conflict-of-interest protocols

Corruption has burdened Illinois since its earliest days. But change is possible. Here’s how.

‘This is how I award my good soldiers’: Ex-precinct captain testifies Madigan gave him yearly $45,000 do-nothing consulting contract

Testimony from ex-campaign worker who sparked Madigan’s #MeToo moment could add intrigue to corruption trial

‘I felt pressured’: Ex-ComEd top lawyer takes stand in Madigan corruption trial

Hazy world of Springfield politics at center of ex-Speaker Madigan’s trial

Jurors hear first wiretaps in Madigan corruption trial, recordings that suggested ex-speaker was hands-on boss