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.

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

Madigan is accused of leading a criminal enterprise designed to enhance his political power and enrich himself and his allies. Michael McClain, his longtime friend and ally, is also on trial and accused of acting as Madigan’s agent.

The former speaker is arguably one of the most notable former politicians to testify in their own defense since former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

In surprising move, former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken the stand at his own corruption trial.

In a stunning and risky move, ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is planning to take the stand in his own public corruption trial, his lawyers said in court Tuesday. After a morning break, Madigan’s lead attorney,

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken the stand in his own public corruption trial, where he is accused of using his position to enrich himself and his friends, while his defense attorneys argue he was just a good public servant.

After an extended 18-day holiday break in testimony, attorneys for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan on Monday unveiled a new prong of their defense: that the speaker had long-established protocols to prevent conflicts of interest between his government work and his private law practice.

Madigan and his co-defendant – longtime confidant Michael McClain – are on trial on racketeering and bribery charges. As Megan Hickey reports, the defense has painted Madigan as a politician who often asked for help and who avoided conflict.