Crime & Law

Jury Selection Underway in Michael Madigan’s Landmark Corruption Case

Michael Madigan walks into the Dirksen Federal Building as jury selection began in his racketeering trial on Oct. 9, 2024. (WTTW News)

The first three jurors who will hear Michael Madigan’s landmark corruption trial have been seated, as jury selection kicked off in full in the former Illinois House Speaker’s case.

In-person jury selection officially began Wednesday morning in the Dirksen Federal Building, where Madigan and his longtime confidant Michael McClain face charges of racketeering, bribery and wire fraud.

Following questioning of the first pool of 16 jurors, three people were seated on the actual jury — two men and a woman. The trio work as a teacher, an insurance underwriter and as a warehouse employee for Amazon. Two of those said they had heard about the trial, but didn’t know any specifics of the case.

Tuesday technically marked the start of the trial, as potential jurors arrive in court to fill out questionnaires and attorneys met for an afternoon hearing, but neither Madigan nor McClain were present until Wednesday.

Due to the size restrictions of Blakey’s court, only one pool reporter was allowed inside the room at a time for jury selection, while the rest of the public viewed the proceedings from overflow rooms inside the Dirksen.

According to the pool reporter, Madigan and McClain — who have been close friends and colleagues for decades — did not acknowledge each other when they entered the courtroom Wednesday morning.

Before potential jurors were questioned at length individually, larger groups were asked simple show-of-hands questions including whether they believe there’s problems with the political system in Illinois; if they had any reaction to seeing Madigan’s name on their jury questionnaire; or if they or anyone they’re close to lives in Chinatown.

They were also asked more simple questions like if they live in Chicago, know what ward they’re in or like to play video games.

Madigan appeared engaged during the selection process, often jotting down notes throughout the day.

But the selection process got off to a plodding start Wednesday. By the time Judge John Blakey called for his first break of the day, he noted it was taking approximately 36 minutes to get through each potential juror. At that rate, it would take more than three weeks to seat a full jury.

Prosecutors still believe a jury could be empaneled by the end of this week, and planned to work with defense attorneys to strike potential jurors who included disqualifying answers on their questionnaires. That would include answers such as “Mike Madigan is my mortal enemy,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu said.

Following a brief lunch break, both sides agreed to strike 17 potential jurors based on their written responses. Many of them had expressed some sort of “animus” toward politicians in general or a specific defendant in this case, Bhachu said.

One potential juror who was questioned Wednesday, a mother with two school-aged children, said she previously served on a jury in a criminal case in Cook County last year. She didn’t disclose the verdict in that case, but said Wednesday she initially had reservations about how that trial was resolved.

“I feel like people reached a verdict out of their personal feelings (instead of) what was presented to them,” she said, “and a person’s life was impacted by that.”

But she added that the “passage of time” has made her feel better about the verdict. That potential juror also stated that she would have a problem with a politician using their position to benefit their own private business.

Another potential juror questioned Wednesday said he was previously aware of Madigan and his “dealings” while he served as speaker. He wrote in his questionnaire that he felt both Madigan and lobbyists in general “tend to be crooked.”

“He always had a reputation of doing things his way,” he said during questioning, saying that could be seen as a good thing or bad thing. “His reputation was preceding him.”

Madigan had no visible reaction to those comments, and questioning of that potential juror ended following a brief sidebar conversation.

The former speaker is alleged to have orchestrated multiple corruption schemes, wielding his substantial political power to reward loyal allies and enrich himself.

Among the allegations included in Madigan’s 23-count indictment are claims he arranged contract jobs for his associates — who did little actual work — with Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois, and in exchange he offered political backing on Springfield legislation that was favorable to those companies.

Jurors were asked about any Chinatown connections because of Madigan’s alleged efforts to illegally steer business to his private property tax law firm amid efforts to develop a state-owned parcel of land in that neighborhood into a commercial development.

Both Madigan and McClain have denied any wrongdoing. McClain was previously convicted along with three other ComEd officials for conspiring to bribe Madigan, but those defendants have not yet been sentenced and have sought to have those verdicts tossed out.

Opening statements are expected next week. The trial may last 10 weeks.

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