CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Madigan, once the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, took the stand in his own corruption trial Tuesday, a shocking move for a man once considered the most powerful politician in Illinois.
The trial of the former Illinois House speaker has lasted three months and has revealed meticulous details about the Chicago Democrat’s many alleged schemes in both his public roles and private work as a tax lawyer. That included hours of secretly recorded videos and phone calls from a former councilman turned FBI mole.
But on Tuesday, Madigan, who is famously private and has no email address and no cell phone, took control of the story, telling deeply personal stories about growing up in a tough household and leading what he described as a hardworking life of public service.
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“When people asked me for help, I tried to help them if possible,” said Madigan, who wore a gray suit and looked directly at the jurors as he spoke.
His lawyer asked a series of questions, including whether he had ever traded public office for private gain or accepted things of value in exchange for a promise to take official action. Each time, Madigan responded, “No.”
The 82-year-old’s unusual decision to testify surprised political observers.
When word got out that Madigan would take the stand Tuesday afternoon, courtroom seats and an overflow room for public viewing at the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago quickly filled up.
Madigan is charged with crimes including bribery, extortion and wire fraud. Prosecutors allege he exploited his influence not only as chairman but also as head of the Illinois Democratic Party for personal gain and to amass even more power. He also allegedly illegally sent private tax work to his law firm.
His alleged plans include using his influence to pass legislation favorable to electric utility ComEd. In return, ComEd offered kickbacks, jobs and contracts to Madigan loyalists, prosecutors say.
Prosecutors have called on former aides, lawmakers, a congressman and business leaders to illustrate Madigan’s power and influence. Madigan set much of Illinois’ political agenda and decided which pieces of legislation would come to a vote. He managed multiple political funds, which allowed him to choose candidates to run for office. He also oversaw the creation of political maps and created boundaries that favored Democrats.
But on the stand, Madigan, who resigned in 2021, spent time talking about his first jobs with the city, including on a garbage truck. He described meeting his wife and raising children. One of his children, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, sat in the packed courtroom Tuesday.
Defense attorneys tried to humanize the speaker by calling him “Mike” during questioning.
Madigan described a difficult life growing up in Chicago’s middle-class neighborhood near Midway International Airport, telling stories of having an angry alcoholic father and having little say in what schools he could attend or what jobs he could get . The atmosphere was far from “nourishing,” he said.
“In that house, my parents never told me they loved me,” he said. “They never hugged each other. They never hugged each other.”
Also Tuesday, Madigan began discussing his leadership as speaker, something advocates are expected to pick apart.
The trial, which began in October, is expected to last until the end of January.
Also on trial is longtime Madigan confidante Michael McClain, who has already been found guilty in a separate, related case. Last year, federal jurors convicted McClain and three others of the bribery conspiracy involving ComEd.
An in-depth investigation into government corruption has already led to convictions of lawmakers and Madigan’s former chief of staff.
