Rock Island Today

State Representative Ryan Spain shared information about a request for criminal charges against former House Speaker Michael Madigan to be dropped. "U.S. District Judge John Blakey declined to dismiss several criminal counts against Madigan," Spain said in an October 3 Facebook post.

"U.S. District Judge John Blakey declined to dismiss several criminal counts against Madigan in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this year," said Michael Spain, according to Facebook. "In less than a week the former Illinois House Speaker is set for trial."

In his post, Spain shared a link to an October 2 article from the Chicago Sun-Times, which focused on U.S. District Judge John Blakey’s ruling regarding a request to dismiss multiple counts against Madigan. This followed a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled after-the-fact rewards were not criminal acts, and Madigan’s attorneys argued that prosecutors failed to allege a "quid pro quo" necessary to prove bribery.

Screenshot of Rep. Ryan Spain's Oct. 3 Facebook post | State Representative Ryan Spain's Facebook page

According to the Sun-Times, the prosecution plans to pursue a "stream of benefits" theory, suggesting that the corruption resembled an ongoing bill for services rendered. Blakey ruled on October 2 that this approach satisfied the quid pro quo requirement.

Madigan was elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1970 and served as speaker from 1983 until 2021, except for two years when Republicans controlled the legislature. He resigned as speaker in 2021 and also stepped down from his role as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, according to NBC Chicago.

NBC 5 reports that the trial could extend through the November election and into next year. During his tenure, Madigan represented areas near Midway International Airport, southwest of downtown Chicago.

Jury selection began on October 8, with some expressing concerns about finding impartial jurors due to Madigan’s name recognition and public distrust of state politicians. NBC Chicago reported that out of more than 1,000 jury summonses mailed for the jury pool, only 180 individuals remain eligible.

The Associated Press reported that Madigan was present in court during jury selection, taking notes and observing jurors as they entered. Twelve jurors and six alternates will be chosen, with jury selection expected to conclude by week's end.

Spain has served the people of the 73rd House District since 2017. A lifelong resident of Peoria, he holds degrees in political science and speech communication from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from Bradley University. His service record includes time on the Peoria City Council from 2007 until fall 2016, according to his official biography.