(The Center Square) – Former elected officials are recalling the extent of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s power and the impact he had on the state’s politics and finances.

Madigan served as a state representative for 50 years, most of that time as Illinois House speaker, and he chaired the Democratic Party of Illinois for 23 years. He is now facing 23 federal counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct.