Corruption trial of ex-Speaker Mike Madigan begins this week

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The much anticipated trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is set to get underway with jury selection on Tuesday.

Madigan, who was long considered one of the most powerful politicians in Illinois, is now set to appear in a federal courtroom in Chicago this week.

He's been charged with a number of crimes including racketeering conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion.

Federal prosecutors allege Madigan used his role as speaker and other positions of power for personal gain — including to win kickbacks or lucrative jobs and contracts for his friends and supporters.

Some of the evidence in the case includes wiretapped calls and meetings, which were recorded on video.

The panel, set to be chosen over four days, could hear from as many as 50 witnesses over 10 weeks. But chief among them will be Danny Solis, the veteran City Council member who prosecutors have called one of Chicago’s “most significant cooperators in the last several decades.” Solis famously turned on Madigan and other powerful politicians in 2016 by wearing an FBI wire to avoid prison.

The Chicago Sun-Times exposed Solis after it obtained an erroneously unsealed affidavit in January 2019.

That revelation didn’t stop the feds’ blockbuster investigation from upending Chicago’s power structure. Roughly 20 people have faced federal charges in the years since. Nine of them were sentenced to prison, including ex-Ald. Edward M. Burke.

Madigan has denied any wrongdoing.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

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