Prosecutor: ‘Power and profit,’ ex-speaker ‘abused his public office’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square contributor

Published January 23, 2025 7:29am ET

(The Center Square) – Closing arguments have begun at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Chicago.

“Power and profit,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz said Wednesday afternoon as she started her address to the jury on behalf of the government. “Michael Madigan and Michael McClain conspired to preserve Madigan’s power and line his pockets.”