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.

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.

Prosecutors claim former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan abused power for personal gain in closing trial arguments.

Closing arguments are set to continue Thursday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

The arguments follow 11 weeks of testimony in which jurors heard from 63 witnesses. Most notable among them was Michael Madigan himself.

Closing arguments are expected to begin Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Court is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Former federal prosecutor Chris Hotaling joined ABC7 to discuss key points presented by the prosecution and the defense.

Final arguments are underway in the high-profile corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The outcome of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial will be watched closely well beyond the federal courthouse, with the verdict representing a potential

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.

After more than three months, dozens of witnesses and hundreds of audio recordings, the fate of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will soon be in the hands of a jury.

Michael Madigan’s defense team officially rested Thursday morning, nearly three months after opening statements and testimony began in the landmark case.

CHICAGO (CN) — Federal prosecutor Julia Schwartz re-stated the government's most basic accusation against ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and his co-defendant Mike McClain on Wednesday during closing arguments of an over three-month long corruption trial: that they worked to exploit Madigan's public office for private gain.