Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan defense begins closing arguments in corruption trialon January 25, 2025 at 4:14 am

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s defense team began their final presentation to the jury just after lunch Friday, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.

Jury could get case Tuesday

Friday, January 24, 2025 10:44PM

Madigan defense begins closing arguments in corruption trial

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s defense began their closing arguments in his federal corruption trial Friday.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s defense team began their final presentation to the jury just after lunch Friday, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.

His attorney asked the jury to see Madigan not as a mythical figure, a Sphinx, as he was called by some, but as a man and fellow citizen.

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“The indictment is not evidence. It’s just a document,” defense attorney Dan Collins said. “Just because the government says it, does not make it so.”

While embarking on a point by point takedown of the corruption and bribery accusations against the former Illinois House speaker, Collins said prosecutors failed to meet their burden in proving any of the charges against him, calling their arguments misleading.

“The government relies on your cynicism,” Collins said.

Mike Madigan trial live updates: Defense to begin closing arguments in federal corruption trial

Earlier Friday, however, in wrapping up the government’s closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur told the jury, “We have proven to you beyond a reasonable doubt each of the counts alleged in the indictment. Madigan and McClain are guilty of each count in which they are charged.”

MacArthur also made the point that in order to find Madigan, and his co-defendant Mike McClain, guilty of racketeering, which is the 23-count indictment’s umbrella charge, the focus is not on whether all the elements of the crime were committed.

Instead, it’s on the agreement between the parties to participate in a criminal enterprise that affects interstate commerce by committing at least two criminal acts within a specified timeframe.

“Madigan and McClain worked together for eight years as an ongoing unit. They talked constantly. They met regularly. They supported each other. One gave the orders, the other executed them,” MacArthur said.

Madigan’s final presentation will continue well into Monday.

The judge told the jury not to expect to start their deliberations before Tuesday.