Madigan is accused of leading a criminal enterprise designed to enhance his political power and enrich himself and his allies. Michael McClain, his longtime friend and ally, is also on trial and accused of acting as Madigan’s agent.

In a stunning and risky move, ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is planning to take the stand in his own public corruption trial, his lawyers said in court Tuesday. After a morning break, Madigan’s lead attorney,

Madigan and his co-defendant – longtime confidant Michael McClain – are on trial on racketeering and bribery charges​.

After an extended 18-day holiday break in testimony, attorneys for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan on Monday unveiled a new prong of their defense: that the speaker had long-established protocols to prevent conflicts of interest between his government work and his private law practice.

The defense theme is likely to resume Tuesday, when Michael Madigan’s lawyers are expected to call his law partner Bud Getzendanner to the witness stand.

Jurors are scheduled to return from an 18-day holiday break on Monday at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain in Chicago. Judge John Robert Blakey held a charge conference for attorneys on Jan.