Cheronis, who's defended alleged racketeers and international spies to movie moguls accused of sexual assault and a witness in the Madigan trial, Lou Lang, said putting Madigan on the stand is a risk. "You didn't have an idea that your precinct captain wasn't doing a lick of work for ComEd? Is that your testimony?" prosecutor Amarjeet Bhachu said.

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is facing cross-examination Monday in his own political corruption trial. He decided to take the stand last week to testify in his own defense. Madigan has been on trial for months,

Former Speaker of the Illinois House Michael Madigan faced his toughest test since deciding to take the stand in his public corruption trial.

In surprising move, former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken the stand at his own corruption trial.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood “the quid pro quo” of hiring Madigan’s law firm.

Madigan's surprise decision to testify could push back the start of jury deliberations until the last week of January.