Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan pleaded not guilty to 22 racketeering counts on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cole approved Madigan, who served as speaker of the Illinois House for 36 years, to be released on pretrial conditions that included an unsecured bond of $10,000. Michael McClain, one of Madigan’s closest aides in the House who is accused of orchestrating a scheme to bribe utility Commonwealth Edison, also pleaded not guilty during the hearing, according to WTTW.
Madigan shot back that federal officials were “attempting to criminalize a routine constituent service: job recommendations.” “That is not illegal, and these other charges are equally unfounded,” Madigan's statement read. “Throughout my 50 years as a public servant, I worked to address the needs of my constituents, always keeping in mind the high standards required and the trust the public placed in me. I adamantly deny these accusations and look back proudly on my time as an elected official, serving the people of Illinois.”The next hearing in Madigan's case is scheduled for April 1.
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