Illinois' famously reclusive Michael J. Madigan takes the stand in his own defense

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, the famously reclusive but powerful Southwest Side Democrat whose record-setting career ended amid scandal, took the witness stand in his own defense Tuesday in his long-running racketeering conspiracy trial.

Madigan began his testimony by repeatedly answering no when his attorney asked if he had ever traded his public office for private gain, ever demanded a thing of value in exchange for an official act, or ever accepted a thing of value in exchange for an official act.

Madigan's appearance was a stunning development, given his private nature and the mountain of secret FBI recordings that he’ll likely now have to explain.

But the decision rested with Madigan, who might see it as his best move against an aggressive FBI investigation that has led to several separate convictions. Former Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke, another record-setting old-school politician like Madigan, is now in prison after being convicted at trial a little more than a year ago. Burke did not testify at trial.

Meanwhile, if Madigan is convicted, prosecutors will likely accuse him of committing perjury — something that could be used against him at sentencing.

The former speaker wore a gray suit, light blue shirt and purple tie. As he testified, his gaze went back and forth between the jury and defense attorney Dan Collins, who referred to Madigan as "Mike" during his questioning.

"Did people ask you for help?" Collins began.

"Yes," Madigan replied, adding that he was asked for help by "all types of people."

"Did those requests for help include help finding a job?" Collins asked.

"Yes," Madigan said. "When people asked me for help, if possible, I tried to help them."

Collins then took Madigan through his childhood and family life before moving to Madigan's rise in Springfield. He asked if Madigan picked up character traits from his father.

"Hard work. And attention to detail, yes," Madigan replied, and avoiding confrontation. "That carried over to my years in the Legislature."

Madigan told the story of finding his daughter Lisa crying on the phone while talking to her biological father. "I took the phone out of [Lisa's] hands, and her biological father was on the phone, shouting at her. And the language was so vile that I don't want to repeat it. But he was using the 'F' word."

Collins asked if Madigan ever confronted Lisa's biological father. "Not physically. … He liked to send a lot of threatening letters."

Collins asked if Madigan chose to "avoid confrontation" with Lisa's biological father.

"Yes," Madigan replied.

Applying this trait to his work with lawmakers as Speaker, Madigan said "my responsibility was, to the best of my ability, to bring them together. Part of that would be helping them with what they perceived to be their problems."

Earlier Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John Blakey discussed with Madigan his right to testify following legal arguments about his testimony. There is a separate forfeiture question in Madigan's case, which will be decided by Blakey after the jury renders a verdict.

Questions revolved Tuesday around whether Madigan could testify for purposes of the jury trial, but not for the forfeiture proceeding. Blakey ultimately said he'd be pushing the "pause button" on the forfeiture issue while Madigan testifies for the jury.

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.

McClain’s lawyers predicted before the trial began that Madigan’s defense team would point the finger at McClain — a strategy that could emerge with Madigan on the stand.

Many members of Madigan’s family could be seen in the courtroom Tuesday morning, including former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Another Madigan daughter could be seen giving Madigan a hug before testimony got underway.

Closing arguments in Madigan’s trial seemed to be on track to begin next week. However, Madigan’s testimony could push that back even further. Jurors so far have heard 10 weeks of testimony, dating back to Oct. 22.

The trial officially began with jury selection Oct. 8.

Madigan and McClain were first charged in March 2022. But Madigan resigned from office one year earlier, shortly after McClain and three others with ties to ComEd were charged with conspiring to bribe Madigan.

That ended Madigan’s record 36 years leading the Illinois House of Representatives, where he controlled legislation that shaped every facet of life across the state.

Testimony from Madigan would mark a historic inside look into a notoriously private man — beyond a publicly released 2018 deposition he gave in a lawsuit. A very careful Madigan sat down for his first deposition for more than five hours, answering questions about everything from Burke to whether he goes to church and his “philosophy” on keeping politics and government separate.

In one instance, he was asked how he keeps his many roles separate.

“Well, you understand that there are certain legal requirements on separation, and that’s what I would abide by. I’m an active member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party has certain issue positions," Madigan said. “I would become an advocate for those positions before the government, but I’m not going to engage in any inappropriate or illegal activity in terms of blending. I’m not going to do that.”

Madigan also sat for an interview in 2009 about the late Mayor Richard J. Daley, who Madigan said at the time was "just a carbon copy of my father." Madigan said his rise to become speaker of the Illinois House "wouldn't have happened without him."