Ray Long – Page 7 –

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for the openings at his trial on Oct. 21, 2024. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Feds begin laying out ComEd bribery scheme evidence as Madigan corruption trial ramps up

October 23, 2024 at 6:55 p.m.

Utility giant ComEd badly needed support from Springfield in the 2010s, a ComEd vice president testified Wednesday in the trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is accused of...

Michael Madigan, 82, left, former speaker of the Illinois House and head of the state Democratic Party, and his longtime confidant, ex-lobbyist Michael McClain, 77, are charged in a 23-count superseding indictment filed in October 2022 with racketeering conspiracy and a host of other crimes. (Brian Cassella and Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Madigan co-defendant’s lawyer tells jury legal lobbying is not bribery, says feds’ view ‘just wrong’

October 22, 2024 at 6:35 p.m.

A lawyer for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan's longtime confidant told a federal jury Tuesday that the allegations of bribery and corruption against them attempt to criminalize legal lobbying and relationship...

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for the start of his trial on Oct. 21, 2024. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Corrupt political boss or defender of his constituents? Madigan trial begins in earnest

October 21, 2024 at 7:26 p.m.

Ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan used his perch at the very top of state politics to betray the public trust, federal prosecutors said in opening statements at Madigan’s public corruption...

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after a day of jury selection in his corruption trial on Oct. 10, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

With legacy on the line, ex-Speaker Madigan lends his singular focus as corruption trial gets underway

October 21, 2024 at 11:56 a.m.

Over seven days of jury selection in his corruption trial, Madigan has been a keen participant in an often-tedious process where many other defendants take a back seat and let...

El expresidente de la Cámara de Representantes Mike Madigan camina por Dearborn St, hacia la Corte Federal Dirksen, el 2 de octubre de 2024, para la audiencia final en persona antes de que comience su juicio el 8 de octubre. (Antonio Pérez/baiduhai)

A medida que comienza el juicio por corrupción de Madigan, la atención se centrará en tres palabras tabú: quid pro quo

October 9, 2024 at 9:38 a.m.

El concejal de Chicago Daniel Solís llevaba un año en su sorprendente papel como espía del FBI cuando supuestamente llamó al político más poderoso de Illinois y lanzó tres pequeñas...

Woman who reported sex harassment in Madigan camp to testify at ex-speaker’s racketeering trial

November 21, 2025 at 4:50 p.m.

The woman whose sexual harassment allegations against a Democratic political operative sent shockwaves through Springfield in 2018 will testify for the prosecution in the trial of ex-House speaker Michael Madigan...

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey (U.S. District Court ILND)

Judge known as ‘Son of RICO’ will use expertise overseeing Madigan trial

November 21, 2025 at 4:50 p.m.

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey, who will oversee the Madigan trial, is viewed as well-suited for complex RICO cases even apart from his family pedigree.

Former House Speaker Mike Madigan walks across Dearborn Street, toward the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, on Oct. 2, 2024, for the final in-person hearing before his trial begins on Oct. 8. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Breaking down the charges in the Michael Madigan indictment

October 7, 2024 at 6:13 p.m.

The United States v. Michael Madigan and Michael McClain is one of the biggest public corruption cases ever brought in Illinois.

As Madigan corruption trial kicks off, focus will be on those three taboo words: quid pro quo

October 7, 2024 at 11:22 a.m.

Key issue in Madigan's highly anticipated racketeering trial: did he know ahead of time that private benefits for himself or his friends were being exchanged for official acts?

House Speaker Michael Madigan listens to a final question before getting in the elevator after his news conference reacting to Gov. Bruce Rauner's first state budget speech in the Illinois Capitol in Springfield on Feb. 17, 2015. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)

After storied time as the ‘Velvet Hammer,’ Michael Madigan to face a jury

October 7, 2024 at 10:35 a.m.

Michael Madigan's legacy will be on the line this week in one of the most anticipated public corruption trials in Illinois history.

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