Madigan doesn't want professor to testify about Chicago's political machine

[July 13, 2024]  By Brett Rowland | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan doesn't want a professor to testify about Chicago's political machine at his upcoming corruption trial.

Madigan's defense team said University of Illinois Chicago professor Dick Simpson's testimony would be "unreliable, irrelevant, and highly prejudicial."

Prosecutors want to call Simpson to the stand to explain how Chicago politics and government work. That includes the workings of Ward organizations, Chicago's political machine and patronage hiring.

Defense attorneys said Simpson's testimony isn't needed and, if allowed, could turn the jury against Madigan.

"Even without Professor Simpson's testimony, Madigan faces a significant challenge to receive a fair trial due to the constant public commentary that assumes his guilt before one piece of evidence has been entered at trial," Madigan's defense attorneys wrote in a motion to exclude the testimony. "This publicity did not just start with this case, it has been in the works for decades."

Prosecutors also want to call former Chicago Alderperson Michele Smith to testify about the operation of the Chicago City Council, its Zoning Committee and the role of Chicago Democratic Committeemen. Defense attorneys objected to Smith's testimony as well, saying her personal experience doesn't make her an expert.

A judge excluded Simpson's testimony from a 2023 corruption trail focused on four former ComEd executives and lobbyists accused of a scheme to reward Madigan in exchange for help with legislation in Springfield that would affect the electric utility company. In that case, Judge Harry Leinenweber said the jury didn't need an explanation and that a detailed history of the corruption of the Chicago political machine could prejudice the jury. A jury convicted the four ComEd executives and lobbyists in May 2023, but defense attorneys may seek a new trial after a Supreme Court ruling narrowed the federal bribery statute. Those defendants haven't been sentenced.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan walks out of the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. - By Brett Rowland | The Center Square

Defense attorneys also said Simpson endorsed Madigan's opponent in a 2016 primary election.

Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021, as speaker from 1983 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2021. That made him one of the state's most powerful politicians, especially given his role as head of the Democratic party in the state. He faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery, and official misconduct as part of a federal indictment. Madigan has pleaded not guilty.

Madigan was initially charged along with convicted former lawmaker and lobbyist Michael McClain in March 2022 with 22 counts of racketeering and bribery for his alleged improper dealings with the state's largest utility, ComEd. Prosecutors further alleged that he used his political power to unlawfully steer business to his private law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner. In October 2022, prosecutors filed a superseding indictment that charged Madigan and McClain with conspiracy related to an alleged corruption scheme involving AT&T Illinois.

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