Nearly four months after they were first called to Chicago’s federal courthouse, jurors have begun deliberating in the most consequential Illinois public corruption case in years: the racketeering case of former House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidant,

Michael Madigan’s defense team rested Thursday, nearly three months after opening statements and testimony began in the landmark case. Here is what you need to know about the case.

Madigan faces a 23-count indictment in federal court, charging him with racketeering conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion.

Officials in the Trump administration have been in contact with the New York prosecutor’s office about the matter.

Mayor Eric Adams’ legal team is trying to get his public corruption case tossed by claiming a former top federal prosecutor is violating courtroom ethics laws by publicly smearing Hizzoner for