Madigan corruption trial continues

Jurors in the racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are getting a chance to listen to wiretapped recordings at the center of the prosecution’s case.  A series of phone calls played in court yesterday are meant to establish Madigan’s power over the General Assembly’s day to day operations.  Madigan could be heard speaking bluntly about a number of topics, including forcing longtime state Representative Lou Lang out of the legislature following sexual harassment allegations.  The former House Speaker and longtime confidant, Michael McClain, are charged with conspiring to participate in an array of bribery and extortion schemes.  The calls were captured on an FBI wiretap on McClain’s phone.