(Center Square) – Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to bar defense attorneys from describing a high-profile corruption case in Chicago as “standard policy” in the corruption-plagued state of Illinois.
Prosecutors have made a series of pretrial motions in a motion before U.S. District Judge Manish Shah. The “usual policy” clause was among the items included in a 29-page motion in the pending corruption case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
“The argument that suggests to the jury that such conduct, even if illegal, is simply the way things are done in politics should be barred,” the plaintiffs wrote. “Accordingly, defendants should be barred from making arguments or offering evidence about similar ‘political’ acts in which others have engaged or suggesting that defendants’ conduct was simply part of politics or ‘regular policy.’”
Shah has not ruled on several pre-trial issues, including the prosecution's “usual policy” request.
Madigan served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1971 to 2021, then as speaker of the House from 1983 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2021. This made him one of the most powerful politicians in the state, especially given his role as chairman of the state Democratic Party. Madigan faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery and official misconduct as part of a federal indictment. Madigan has pleaded not guilty.
In March 2022, Madigan and convicted former lawmaker and lobbyist Michael McClain were indicted on 22 counts of racketeering and bribery over his alleged improper dealings with the state’s largest utility, Comed. Prosecutors also alleged that he used his political power to illegally steer business to his private law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner.
In October 2022, prosecutors filed a new indictment charging Madigan and McClain with conspiracy in connection with an alleged corruption scheme involving AT&T Illinois.
A jury convicted McClain, three former ComD executives and lobbyists on multiple corruption charges in a 2023 trial. McClain has not yet been sentenced in that case.
Madigan and McClain's trial is scheduled to begin in October.
