(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan pleaded not guilty to racketeering charges Wednesday during a virtual hearing in federal court.
The longtime Democratic power broker Madigan entered his plea through his attorney and did not speak during the brief hearing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago last week announced a 22-count grand jury indictment accusing Madigan of leading a criminal enterprise dedicated to preserving his political power and benefitting his friends.
Madigan, 79, has denied any wrongdoing. He has said the government is trying to criminalize making job recommendations. Federal prosecutors say some of those jobs involved people getting paid for doing little or no work.
Last year, he resigned from his state House seat and as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.
Also pleading not guilty Wednesday was a longtime Madigan associate, lobbyist Michael McClain, whose phone connection to the court proceeding was delayed by technical problems.
And the end of the brief arraignment, McClain spoke, saying, “Your honor, this is Mike McClain. I wold like to apologize for electronic...”
At which point attorneys and the judge cut him off.
Next hearing on the case is April 1.
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