Michael Madigan jury finds 17 counts, deadlocks on 12

In the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the jury has reached a unanimous decision on 17 out of 29 counts but remains deadlocked on 12 others after ten days of deliberation. Prosecutors have alleged that Madigan exploited his political influence to benefit his private law practice and secure favorable legislation for companies like ComEd in exchange for no-show jobs for allies. Madigan faces a total of 23 charges, including bribery and racketeering, while his co-defendant, Michael McClain, is charged with six counts related to the same allegations. Both defense teams have called for a partial verdict to be accepted on the counts the jury agreed upon, while prosecutors indicated they would accept this approach. The trial has involved extensive testimony, including secret recordings from cooperating witnesses, which have painted a picture of Madigan's alleged corrupt practices. This case follows a broader investigation where several ComEd executives were previously convicted and the company itself paid significant fines in a related agreement with prosecutors.