(The Center Square) – Former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis has returned to the witness stand at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain in Chicago.
Solis began testifying Thursday afternoon and resumed discussing real estate developments with U.S. government attorney Diane MacArthur Monday morning.
Solis said he could remember three contacts with Madigan regarding real estate developments between 2011 and June of 2016. In all three cases, Solis said Madigan wanted to know if he could facilitate an introduction with the developer to solicit tax work for Madigan’s law firm, Madigan and Getzendanner. Solis said he complied with Madigan’s request all three times because he wanted to curry political favor with Madigan.
In the federal indictment of Madigan and McClain, prosecutors allege that Solis agreed to help steer business to Madigan’s personal law firm, which specializes in challenging property tax bills for its clients. In exchange, prosecutors claim “Madigan agreed to assist, in his official capacity as Speaker of the House of Representatives, in advising and inducing the Governor of the State of Illinois to appoint Alderman A to a State board that would pay Alderman A compensation of at least approximately $93,926 a year upon Alderman A’s retirement from the City Council.”
MacArthur questioned Solis about the parcel of land in Chinatown along Wentworth Avenue between Archer Avenue and Cermak Road, where Solis said a Chinese developer wanted to build a hotel.
The indictment against Madigan and McClain indicates that Solis and Madigan discussed a transfer of the parcel. Solis said the former speaker asked him to facilitate a meeting with the developer at Madigan’s law firm. MacArthur then introduced a video of the meeting which had been secretly recorded by Solis.
Madigan and McClain are charged with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct.
Solis’ arrival Monday morning drew a larger media contingent to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse than had been seen since opening statements last month. The jury was seated at 8:59 a.m.
