Madigan trial delayed until October for SCOTUS review of bribery statute
By HANNAH MEISEL
Capitol News Illinois
hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com
CHICAGO – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan won’t be spending his 82nd birthday in a federal courtroom this spring after a judge on Wednesday granted his request to delay his bribery and racketeering trial originally set to begin April 1.
Madigan claimed the small victory while appearing in court for the first time since he was indicted nearly two years ago, opting to show up in person to a hearing at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse Wednesday afternoon despite having been granted permission to appear via videoconference. Sporting a black suit and royal blue tie, the former speaker spoke only once during the hearing.
“Yes I do, your honor,” Madigan said in reply to U.S. District Judge Robert Blakey’s question as to whether he consented to the trial’s rescheduling to Oct. 8.
The trial is now scheduled for several months after the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the case of a northwest Indiana mayor convicted under the same federal bribery statutes at play in Madigan’s case. Attorneys for the former speaker and his codefendant argued the high court’s ruling could affect the outcome of Madigan’s case.
Blakey agreed during the hourlong hearing, likening the risk of going to trial prior to the Supreme Court’s expected June ruling to stepping on a Lego brick.
“I’d go, ‘George! I thought I told you to pick up the Legos!’” Blakey said, recounting telling his then-young son to clean up his toys. “And he’d say, ‘Eh, I picked up most of them.’”
Blakey acknowledged that while only a third of the 23 charges Madigan is facing could be affected by the high court’s ruling and posited that no parties involved want to “walk into a dark room with no shoes on” and be thrown a Lego by the Supreme Court.
Most critically, Blakey said, delaying the trial until after the Supreme Court’s ruling would avoid the possibility of having to redo the entire trial, which he said would be a waste of everyone’s resources. Government prosecutors opposed the delay, but in a filing Tuesday evening offered that they’d be willing to reevaluate jury instructions if the high court had not ruled by the time the case was nearing a close in late spring.
But Blakey rejected that solution, saying the “critical juncture” for clarity on what the federal bribery statute says does not occur during jury instructions. Rather, he said, it occurs even before opening statements begin, as attorneys on both sides prepare for trial.
“You’re absolutely right: there’s a bunch of the case that won’t be affected,” he said. “But there’s enough of the case that’s going to be affected that it might require retrial.”
The case at issue on the Supreme Court’s docket is a review of a 2021 conviction of a northwest Indiana mayor who accepted $13,000 from a company that had recently won contracts to sell garbage trucks to the city. The high court accepted the case last month and is expected to clarify whether “gratuities” are the same as bribes, even if there’s no quid pro quo agreement in place.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu pointed out that prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois are overseeing that case, which stems from Portage, Indiana, about 20 miles east of the Illinois border.
“When you corruptly solicit a payment…an actual quid pro quo isn’t required,” Bhachu maintained during Wednesday’s hearing.
But Federal appeals courts have split on the issue, and Madigan has already attempted to have the case dismissed on similar grounds, though Blakey has yet to rule on that motion from last year.
Madigan was forced out of his 36-year reign as House Speaker in early 2021 as pressure grew from his own Democratic caucus after he was cited as “Public Official A” in federal charging documents against electric utility Commonwealth Edison and former top lobbyists and executives at the company.
Prosecutors alleged ComEd bribed Madigan with jobs and contracts for his political allies in exchange for favorable legislation in Springfield. ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine as part of its resolution of the legal action against it, while the company’s former CEO and three ex-lobbyists fought the charges in a seven-week trial last spring. All were ultimately convicted by a jury.
Read more: ‘ComEd Four’ found guilty on all counts in bribery trial tied to ex-Speaker Madigan
The four are still awaiting sentencing, which was originally scheduled for January before being delayed due to court scheduling conflicts. Also awaiting sentencing is the former ComEd executive who wore a wire against his colleagues and became the government’s star witness in last year’s trial.
Read more: One year after Madigan’s indictment, former speaker’s allies prepare for trial
Madigan wasn’t indicted until March 2022, more than a year after he’d stepped down from nearly every public office he’d held, including as head of the state’s Democratic Party and the legislative seat he’d kept for 50 years representing Chicago’s southwest side.
Read more: Ex-Speaker Madigan indicted on 22 public corruption counts
The indictment was largely a repackaging of allegations from the ComEd cases, claiming Madigan and his codefendant – ComEd’s longtime top outside lobbyist Mike McClain – ran a “criminal enterprise” via the power Madigan had accumulated from his positions as both a political power broker and name partner in a Chicago-based property tax law firm.
In October 2022, the feds added an additional count alleging telecommunications giant AT&T Illinois had been part of a bribery scheme similar to ComEd’s, wherein the company allegedly gave jobs and contracts to Madigan allies in exchange for favorable treatment in Springfield.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Illinois News
Classifieds
No More Potholes on Blue Devil Drive
Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens The meme is there’s two seasons in Illinois – winter and construction. That also will hold true for the Peotone School District but, unlike Chicago, many will appreciate the improvements. Blue Devil Drive, the street in front of the junior high that also provides access to the football field, baseball…
Dangerous Intersection A Topic at Board Meeting
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The outcry was heard. Manteno Village Board Trustee Diane Dole reported at the April 15 board meeting that there have been a few safety changes at the intersection of 12000 North Road and Illinois Rt. 50, which is north of Manteno but not in the village. “Everyone is thankful to…
Rep. Haas Co-Hosts Rx Drop-Off Event
Spread the loveIn conjunction with other community partners, State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) is co-hosting a prescription drop-off event on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Northfield Square Mall East parking lot, 1600 N. State Rt. 50 in Bourbonnais. “I invite all District 79 area residents to come by and…
Peotone Police Blotter: April 12-16
Spread the loveApril 12: Peotone Police were dispatched to N. Railroad and E. North Streets for a report of a property damage vehicle accident. Peotone Police arrived on scene and confirmed no injury occurred. The responding officer spoke with the single driver involved, who advised while turning around he struck a parked vehicle. Owner of…
Peotone Library News
Spread the loveThe library now offers a monthly e-newsletter. Sign-up on the website at peotonelibrary.org. Then, at the bottom of the opening page, click on the Newsletter Signup box. Interested in the Homebound Delivery Program? Contact the Adult Services Department for more information and guidelines. Register for events on the website calendar or call the…
‘Success by 6’ Presents Free Trauma/Resilience Summit
Spread the loveSuccess By 6, a partnership initiative of the United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties and the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley, is proud to announce a free Trauma and Resilience Summit on Tuesday, May 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene. This free, full-day…
St. Agnes Students Raise Funds for Diaper Pantry
Spread the loveStudents at St. Agnes School in Chicago Heights raised $1,650 during their Lenten service project to purchase diapers for Franciscan Health Olympia Fields’ diaper pantry for new moms in need. The project, “For the Sake of New Life,” spanned two weeks during Lent, when students filled baby bottle banks with money they earned…
Springfest 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk a Grand Success
Spread the loveOn Saturday, April 13, Manteno American Legion was the site of an extraordinary event – the Springfest 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk. Many thanks to those involved who made this event such a success, including the Manteno Legion, Manteno Women’s Auxiliary, Sons of American Legion, Manteno Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Manteno Police and…
Beecher Community Library News
Spread the loveCall the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. Youth Services A new take-and-make craft will be available on May 1. Pick up anytime! April 25 and 26, May 2 and 3, at 10 a.m., Beecher Bookworm Buddies: Enjoy stories, games, music, and a craft for small children in the meeting room.…
BHS Announces Third Quarter Honor Rolls
Spread the loveBeecher High School recently announced students named to its third quarter honor rolls. Congratulations to the following students!! High Honors Seniors: Quinton Allen, Alexis Barkus, Katelyn Bol, Adriana Cabrera, Tyler Cochrane, Kenneth Deems, Riley DeRoos, Nathan Diachenko, Julieta Dominguez, Jessica Ellerson, Ariana Fernandez, Giada Garza, Olivia Geringer-Spagnola, Caitlin Gill, Jack Hayhurst, Andrew Hering,…
WCCHC Offering Primary Care Services in Monee
Spread the loveThe Will County Health Department and Community Health Center will begin offering primary care medical services at its Eastern Branch Office in Monee, 5601 W. Monee-Manhattan Road, beginning in April. Primary care services at the Eastern Branch office will be available from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., every Wednesday, effective immediately. Appointments are…
Moore Joins Federated Bank as AVP Community Banking Manager/Loan Officer
Spread the loveFederated Bank proudly announced the appointment of Shannon Moore as Assistant Vice President and Community Banking Manager, effective January 1. Bringing more than 15 years of extensive experience in the banking and mortgage lending industries, Moore is recognized for his exceptional leadership and commitment to community-focused banking solutions. Prior to joining Federated Bank,…
ECDA, Illinois Hispanic Chamber Partner for MWBE Certification Workshop
Spread the loveLocal business owners are invited to attend a ‘How to Become a Certified MWBE in Illinois’ Lunch n’ Learn session on May 7, at 11:30 a.m., at the ECDA office, 275 E. Court Street, Suite 201, in Kankakee. The City of Kankakee Economic and Community Development Agency has partnered with the Illinois Hispanic…
Monee Police Blotter: April 8 – 16
Spread the loveApril 8, at approximately 8:45 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 5800 block of Monee-Manhattan Road, to investigate an unwanted person. Upon the officer’s arrival, they spoke to the manager of the business, who said a male, who previously was told not to return because of past disturbances, showed up and…