Madigan and his co-defendant – longtime confidant Michael McClain – are on trial on racketeering and bribery charges​.

Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is set to return to the stand Wednesday morning, continuing testimony that will surely be some of the most crucial and closely examined of the bombshell public corruption trial.

The former speaker is arguably one of the most notable former politicians to testify in their own defense since former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

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

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

Madigan and his co-defendant – longtime confidant Michael McClain – are on trial on racketeering and bribery charges. As Megan Hickey reports, the defense has painted Madigan as a politician who often asked for help and who avoided conflict.

CHICAGO — Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will take the witness stand in his corruption trial — an unexpected revelation that will likely stretch the already lengthy trial into late January.

Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is set to return to the stand Wednesday morning, continuing testimony that will surely be some of the most crucial and closely examined of the bombshell public corruption trial.

During his testimony, Mike Madigan denied any involvement in a quid pro quo arrangement with former Alderman Danny Solis, who is a key government witness in the case.