The 21st Show

What’s going on in the ComEd trials?

Produced by Brian Mackey
 
Ex-lobbyist Mike McClain is pictured in his driver's license photo, which was submitted as evidence in his federal court trial this week in a case where he and three others allegedly bribed former House Speaker Michael Madigan (right) with jobs and contracts for the speaker’s political allies in exchange for legislation favorable to electric utility Commonwealth Edison.

Ex-lobbyist Mike McClain is pictured in his driver's license photo, which was submitted as evidence in his federal court trial this week in a case where he and three others allegedly bribed former House Speaker Michael Madigan (right) with jobs and contracts for the speaker’s political allies in exchange for legislation favorable to electric utility Commonwealth Edison. Madigan photo and illustration by Jerry Nowicki; McClain photo obtained from trial exhibit

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Former Illinois politician Michael Madigan is not yet actually on trial — that’s scheduled for next year. But four of his associates are. They’re accused of participating in a scheme on behalf of electric utility ComEd to effectively bribe the speaker — by giving do-nothing jobs to Madigan’s allies — in exchange for legislation favorable to the company.

To explain the history of the case and what's been happening in court, The 21st was joined by a pair of journalists who have been following the story.

GUESTS: 

Dave McKinney

State politics reporter, WBEZ

Hannah Meisel

State government and politics reporter, Capitol News Illinois

 

 

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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