Michael Madigan’s trial to begin with jury selection

CHICAGO — Tuesday, at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, 180 prospective jurors in the Michael Madigan case filled out a questionnaire before they are set to meet with attorneys Wednesday.

In a final status hearing Judge John Robert Blakey told prosecutors and the defense that there was a “really good return of people showing up.”

One continuous issue came up.

The government plans to call Alaina Hampton to testify. Hampton famously filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Democratic Party and Madigan’s campaign alleging she was sexually harassed by a former Madigan aide. The defense said her testimony is fraught with prejudice and the judge decided to limit what she can talk about.

Hampton’s allegations are not what this case is about. The former Illinois House speaker is accused of racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud and attempted extortion in an alleged scheme involving ComEd.

Also standing trial with Madigan, is Michael McClain, a close confidant, who along with the others was found guilty last year in a trial on charges related to a conspiracy to bribe Madigan. The defendants, the ComEd Four, are trying to get their convictions thrown out.

Madigan denies wrongdoing.

For years, Jim Durkin was Madigan’s House Republican opponent. He’s also a former prosecutor.

“I guess this is kind of a day of reckoning for people who were in government but a lot of citizens of Illinois,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a tough row to hoe for him. You’ve got some very seasoned prosecutors who’ve been waiting for this day and have built up these investigations for this moment.”

The Velvet Hammer, as he was called, took the speaker’s gavel in January 1983. He kept it for 36 of the next 38 years, the longest speakership of anyone in any state in U.S. history.

“He deserves the right to a fair trial but I will say this, most people don’t walk out of that building innocent individuals,” Durkin said.

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