Lawyers, judge discuss forfeiture issues in case of Madigan corruption conviction

[January 17, 2025]  By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – U.S. government attorneys are expected to present their rebuttal case Thursday after the defense rests at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain.

Judge John Robert “Jack” Blakey conferred with prosecutors and defense attorneys before jurors were asked to report to the courtroom Thursday morning.

McClain attorney John Mitchell suggested that the defense teams were not planning to call additional witnesses in connection with forfeiture issues if the defendants are convicted by the jury.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Amar Bhachu said a key issue involved whether or not Madigan and McClain had to have their “hands on the money” in order for the government to seek forfeiture of funds.

“I expect, two weeks or so after the verdict, we’ll have closing issues on the forfeiture issue,” Blakey said.

Attorneys disputed the admissibility of former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis’ bank records. Prosecutors argued in favor of introducing documentation of a payment made to Solis by his sister, Patti Solis Doyle.

Blakey allowed the admission of the document over objections by Madigan's and McClain’s attorneys.

Madigan’s attorney Dan Collins argued against the introduction of a recorded conversation between Solis and his friend, Brian Hynes, on Oct. 14, 2014.

“It would be unbelievably unfair to us,” Collins said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said the recording would clarify “who called who” about introducing Madigan to real-estate developers.

In the transcript, Solis, referring to Madigan, told Hynes, “He’s been calling me a lot ...”

“Good,” Hynes responded.

“... to give his referrals, clients for his insurance tax thing,” Solis said.

Blakey denied the admission of the recording.

Madigan and McClain are charged with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct in connection with a scheme that federal prosecutors referred to as "Madigan Enterprise."

Prosecutors allege that ComEd and AT&T Illinois gave out no-work or little-work jobs and contract work to those loyal to Madigan to get legislation passed that would benefit them in Springfield. Four ComEd executives and lobbyists were convicted in 2023 in a related trial, and ComEd itself agreed to pay $200 million in fines as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with prosecutors.

Prosecutors also allege that Madigan used his power to steer business to his private law firm.

Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021. He was speaker for all but two years between 1983 and 2021. Madigan also chaired the Democratic Party of Illinois from 1998 to 2021.

McClain was a longtime lobbyist who previously served as a state representative in Illinois’ 48th district from 1973 to 1982.