Prosecutors want to bar 'politics as usual' defense in Madigan corruption trial

(The Center Square) – Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to prevent defense attorneys from calling a high-profile corruption case in Chicago "politics as usual" in the corruption-plagued state of Illinois.

Prosecutors made a series of pre-trial requests in a motion before Judge Manish Shah. The "politics as usual" item was among those listed in the 29-page motion in the pending corruption case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

"An argument that suggests to the jury that, even if such conduct is illegal, it is simply the way things get done in politics should be barred," prosecutors wrote. "Accordingly, defendants should be precluded from making argument or presenting evidence regarding similar "political" acts engaged in by others or suggesting that defendants' conduct was simply part of politics or 'politics as usual.'"

Shah had not ruled on several pre-trial issues, including the prosecution's "politics as usual" request.

Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021, as speaker from 1983 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2021. That made him one of the state's most powerful politicians, especially given his role as head of the Democratic party in the state. He faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery, and official misconduct as part of a federal indictment. Madigan has pleaded not guilty.

In March 2022, Madigan and convicted former lawmaker and lobbyist Michael McClain were charged with 22 counts of racketeering and bribery for his alleged improper dealings with the state's largest utility, ComEd. Prosecutors further alleged that he used his political power to unlawfully steer business to his private law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner.

In October 2022, prosecutors filed a superseding indictment that charged Madigan and McClain with conspiracy related to an alleged corruption scheme involving AT&T Illinois.

A jury convicted McClain and three other former ComEd executives and lobbyists on multiple counts of corruption in a 2023 trial. McClain has yet to be sentenced in that case.

Madigan and McClain are scheduled to go on trial in October.