CHICAGO, IL (Chambana Today) – After 64 hours of deliberation over 11 days, the jury in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has reached a unanimous decision on 17 counts but is deadlocked on the remaining 12 charges. This marks a critical moment in the highly anticipated trial, which has captured the attention of the state and the nation due to its scope and the prominent figures involved.
On the 11th day of deliberations, the jury, consisting of eight women and four men, sent a note to U.S. District Judge John Blakey indicating their inability to reach a consensus on the remaining charges. The note stated, “We have come to a unanimous decision on 17 counts. We have tried our very best to come to a unanimous decision on the remaining 12 counts and have not been able to do so. It is our belief that this impasse will not be overcome.”
Tensions Rise Amid Deliberations
Earlier in the trial, on Tuesday night, the jury sent another note expressing frustration, stating that they had “reached (their) limit” and needed to take a break for the day. They requested to return the following morning to “start fresh” in their deliberations.
The charges against Madigan and his longtime confidant, Michael McClain, include racketeering, federal program bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. The pair face a 23-count indictment, with Madigan facing 23 charges and McClain facing six. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys React
The trial has been ongoing for several months, with prosecutors presenting evidence that accused Madigan of operating a criminal enterprise to benefit himself and his allies. Prosecutors allege that Madigan orchestrated bribery schemes, including a controversial arrangement where Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) allegedly provided no-show jobs to Madigan’s political allies in exchange for support on critical legislation.
Prosecutors contended that Madigan’s power in Illinois politics was driven by greed, and they described the former speaker and McClain as “grandmasters of corruption.” The charges also include the use of Madigan’s political influence to secure business for his law firm and solicit bribes from other companies, such as AT&T Illinois.
In a dramatic turn during the trial, Madigan himself took the witness stand, defending his actions by saying he simply helped political allies who reached out to him. However, the defense raised eyebrows when Madigan was confronted with a secretly recorded 2018 conversation with McClain, where the two were heard laughing about individuals who were allegedly making money without doing the work they were paid to do. This exchange became a pivotal point in the prosecution’s argument that Madigan was fully aware of the corruption occurring under his watch.
The Role of Witnesses and Secret Recordings
The trial also featured testimony from former Alderman Danny Solis, who cooperated with federal authorities by secretly recording conversations involving Madigan and his associates. Solis’s recordings revealed that Madigan used his political position to steer business to his private law firm in exchange for political favors, furthering the corruption charges against him.
What Happens Next?
With the jury’s decision split on several counts, both the defense and prosecutors have expressed willingness to accept a partial verdict. U.S. District Judge Blakey has informed the jury that they can return a verdict on the counts they have decided upon, and if they remain deadlocked, the outstanding charges will be left unresolved.
The partial verdict brings the trial one step closer to its conclusion, but the outcome of the unresolved charges remains uncertain. The court is expected to determine how to proceed with the remaining counts in the coming days.