Testimony continues in Madigan trial
Witness testimony has resumed in the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain.
Federal prosecutors say they plan to call utility company executive Scott Vogt next, followed by former State Rep. Lou Lang, who was in Madigan’s leadership before stepping down in 2019 amid harassment allegations. For the second time in the past week, a protester followed Madigan and several of his defense attorneys into the courthouse.
Kankakee County chairman resigns
The chairman of the Kankakee County Board resigned Tuesday ahead of a special board meeting to consider his ouster after he recently took a job with the company behind a controversial electric vehicle battery plant being built in Manteno.
Under Andrew Wheeler’s leadership, the board was one of several taxing bodies that agreed to provide millions of dollars in incentives to lure Chinese-owned Gotion’s $2 billion EV battery plant, which has been opposed by scores of residents. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been a vocal backer of the plant, which is in line for $536 million in state tax incentives.