USA v. Michael Madigan
Michael J. Madigan was the longest-serving state House speaker in the nation. He was convicted of bribery, bribery conspiracy and wire fraud in 2025.
It’s unclear what prompted the departure of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu. The news comes in the early days of President Donald Trump’s new administration, but also less than three weeks after a jury found Madigan guilty of a bribery conspiracy and other crimes.
Once a political giant, Madigan now a convicted felon and likely prison inmate — but not a racketeer
The verdict capped an unpredictable four-month trial that gave jurors an up-front and uncensored look at the practice of behind-the-scenes politics in Chicago and Illinois in the previous decade.
Federal prosecutors have made it clear they are listening to phone calls. But have the threats of federal investigations and wiretapped conversations actually deterred criminal behavior in Illinois politics? Some aren’t convinced.
Michael Madigan’s jury heard from more than 60 witnesses during 11 weeks of testimony. Now, they’ve deliberated for just shy of 64 hours over another 10 days. Whether their reference Tuesday to having “reached our limit” turns out to be the first sign of frustration remains to be seen.
Madigan and his longtime ally, Michael McClain, are on trial for a racketeering conspiracy. Jurors are expected to resume deliberations Monday morning.
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is accused of leading a criminal enterprise over nearly a decade, designed to enhance his political power and financial well-being. Michael McClain, a former lawmaker and longtime lobbyist for ComEd, is also on trial and accused of acting as Madigan’s agent.
The Sun-Times is providing free text updates as attorneys wrap up closing arguments in the corruption trial of the former Illinois House Speaker.
Defense attorney Patrick Cotter made the comment in the midst of his nearly five-hour closing argument Tuesday in the corruption trial of Michael Madigan and Michael McClain. Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Wednesday.
Michael Madigan’s attorney concluded his seven-and-a-half-hour closing argument Monday, meaning Madigan’s trial is nearing its end. Jurors are still expected to hear arguments from an attorney for Madigan’s co-defendant, Michael McClain, as well as a prosecutor’s rebuttal argument before deliberating.
It’s the final presentation from Madigan’s attorneys before jurors begin to deliberate the sweeping racketeering conspiracy case against him. Judge John Blakey assured the jury those deliberations will begin “next week” as they headed home for the weekend.
After eight hours over two days, prosecutors still haven’t finished their initial argument to the jury. It’s unclear if Michael Madigan’s attorneys will then begin their closing argument Friday or wait until next week.
The arguments follow 11 weeks of testimony in which jurors heard from 63 witnesses. Most notable among them was Michael Madigan himself. He testified for nearly 12 hours over four days earlier this month. His co-defendant, Michael McClain, opted not to testify.
Michael Madigan’s jury is made up of ordinary Illinoisans whose lives have likely been affected by the former speaker, given his record-breaking 36-year tenure as the leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. Now, his fate rests in their hands.
The former Illinois House speaker’s legal team will get one more chance to make its pitch when closing arguments get underway, likely next week. U.S. District Judge John Blakey signaled that he expects them to begin Wednesday.
Heather Wier Vaught testified on what turned out to be a short day for jurors, who are nearing deliberations after 11 weeks of testimony. Closing arguments are expected next week.
Jurors appear on track to hear the last of the evidence in Madigan’s trial by Thursday, following about three months of testimony featuring more than 60 witnesses.
The highly anticipated confrontation between Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu and former House Speaker Mike Madigan drew a capacity crowd Monday to U.S. District Judge John Blakey’s courtroom. Bhachu spent about 2 ½ hours grilling the once-powerful Southwest Side Democrat.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu is one member of a larger team of prosecutors who summoned 50 witnesses in a bid to prove Madigan guilty. Still, the one-on-one exchange between the two men could prove to be one of the most pivotal moments of the trial.
Michael Madigan got a preview of what’s to come when Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu asked Judge John Blakey how cross-examination may proceed next week. Bhachu said he also wants to ask about Madigan’s “knowledge of patronage hiring over the course of his career.”
The former Illinois House speaker’s aversion to technology — and his daily habit of eating an apple — are just a few pieces of lore amassed during a very private, 50-year political career.
For more than three hours Tuesday, jurors in the former Illinois House speaker’s federal bribery trial heard intensely personal revelations from a tight-lipped 82-year-old man who had kept those details private for decades.