The prosecutor made her comment as she continued her closing argument and began to wade into allegations involving AT&T and former state Rep. Edward “Eddie” Acevedo.

Closing arguments are expected to begin Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Court is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Former federal prosecutor Chris Hotaling joined ABC7 to discuss key points presented by the prosecution and the defense.

Earlier Wednesday, US District Judge John Robert Blakey spent nearly two hours reading more than 100 pages of jury instructions. Legal experts say the bar is high for federal prosecutors, as the government aims to prove conspiracy among the defendants with intent to advance their alleged activities.

As prosecutors began their closing arguments Wednesday in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, they accused the longtime Democratic powerbroker of lying to the jury when he testified in his own defense earlier this month.

Final arguments are underway in the high-profile corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

After more than three months, dozens of witnesses and hundreds of audio recordings, the fate of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will soon be in the hands of a jury.

CHICAGO — Ex-House speaker Michael Madigan, formerly the most powerful man in Illinois politics, “conspired to enhance and preserve (his) power and line his pockets” for years, prosecutors said at the outset of marathon closing arguments in Madigan’s corruption trial.

Closing statements officially got underway Thursday afternoon, more than three months after the corruption trial of Madigan and his longtime friend and ally Michael McClain.

Madigan, 82, and his co-defendant, political ally and confidant Michael McClain, are accused of running a criminal enterprise designed to enrich the former speaker and his associates and increase his political power.

The original 106 page 22 count indictment accused the once-powerful leader of acting like an organized crime boss.

Closing arguments are expected Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan