To convict Michael Madigan of a racketeering conspiracy, jurors will need to find that Madigan or his close ally agreed that two so-called racketeering acts would be committed — not that they were actually carried out.

Prosecutors began wrapping up their final summations Friday on Day 3 of closing arguments in the former speaker’s landmark trial by presenting an overview of how the various bribery and corruption schemes alleged in the government’s 23-charge indictment all come together under count one: racketeering conspiracy.

CHICAGO — Ex-House speaker Michael Madigan, formerly the most powerful man in Illinois politics, “conspired to enhance and preserve (his) power and line his pockets” for years, prosecutors said at the outset of marathon closing arguments in Madigan’s corruption trial.

Some Illinois lawmakers are expressing hope that the General Assembly will get serious about ethics reform in 2025. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is the latest in a long line of state politicians to go on trial for alleged corruption.

Madigan, 82, and his co-defendant, political ally and confidant Michael McClain, are accused of running a criminal enterprise designed to enrich the former speaker and his associates and increase his political power.

Good afternoon, Attorneys for Michael Madigan opened their final bid to persuade jurors of his innocence by hearkening back to a memorable nickname for the former speaker

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's defense team began their final presentation to the jury just after lunch Friday, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.