The outcome of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial will be watched closely well beyond Chicago’s federal courthouse, with the verdict representing a potential make-or-break moment at the Illinois Capitol.

Madigan and his co-defendant – longtime confidant Michael McClain – are on trial on racketeering and bribery charges​.

Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, was charged with bribery, racketeering, wire fraud, and other crimes.

Several weeks into a federal corruption trial, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken the stand to testify in his own defense. Facing a 23-count indictment for bribery, racketeering,

Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is set to return to the stand Wednesday morning, continuing testimony that will surely be some of the most crucial and closely examined of the bombshell public corruption trial.

The defense team for Michael Madigan rested its case Thursday as the months-long federal corruption trial enters one of its final legs.

As the Madigan trial nears its close, the jury preps for a pivotal verdict after final evidence and intense debates.

Lawyers for former House Speaker Michael Madigan formally rested their case before the jury on Thursday after calling 12 witnesses, most notably Madigan himself. And prosecutors also rested after a short rebuttal case.

Attorney representing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan rested on Thursday afternoon, with the trial now one step closer to its conclusion.