Judge in Madigan corruption trial aspires to begin opening arguments Tuesday

(The Center Square) – Jury selection is proceeding in the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain at the Dirksen U. S. Courthouse in Chicago.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys questioned five jurors in the first two hours of Thursday’s proceedings. Three jurors were seated on Wednesday.

Judge John Robert Blakey said that the court’s “aspiration” is for opening arguments to begin next Tuesday.

Madigan is facing 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct. The longtime Chicago Democrat served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021.