WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction

(The Center Square) – One year after a federal jury convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and use of a facility to promote unlawful activity, a defense attorney who worked on the case says public corruption trials are worth the taxpayer expense.

After a trial lasting more than four months, jurors delivered the guilty verdicts on 10 of 23 total counts Feb. 12, 2025.

Attorney John Mitchell, a former prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Illinois, represented Madigan’s codefendant, Michael McClain, who was not convicted in the case.

Mitchell said it is worth the time and taxpayer expense go after public corruption, even though he felt the government’s allegations against McClain were wrong.

“I believe it’s had a positive impact on how government works in Chicago and in Illinois,” Mitchell said.

University of Illinois Chicago political science Professor...