Former Skokie State Rep. Lou Lang Testifies In Mike Madigan Federal Corruption Trial

CHICAGO — Longtime Skokie state representative and Niles Township Democratic Party boss Lou Lang testified last week for the third time in a federal trial related to the former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's political machine — what prosecutors have dubbed the "Madigan Enterprise."

Lang resigned from his role as Madigan's chief House deputy in 2018 and gave up his seat shortly after being sworn in to his 17th term in office the following year after facing allegations of sexual harassment.

At Madigan's federal corruption trial on Thursday, prosecutors played wiretapped audio of both the ex-Democratic Party boss and his close advisor Mike McClain discussing Lang's ouster.

"I think the guy’s going to be a continuing problem, that’s my expectation,” Madigan said of Lang, Capitol News Illinois reported. "And I mean, you can understand my position, right?"

In a November 2018 phone call, McClain reportedly told Lang that another harassment allegation would be lodged against him if he were to be reappointed to another leadership role and that he should quit and become a lobbyist.

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“So this is no longer me talking,” McClain said in the wiretap. “I’m an agent of somebody that cares deeply about you, who thinks that you really oughta move on.”

Lang has said that he knew from the phone call from Madigan's confidante that his legislative career was had come to an end, Capitol News Illinois reported.

“It was very clear to me that there had been a decision made by the speaker that I was not going to move up in the ranks," Lang previously testified during direct examination. "And the reputation I had built over 32 years was not going to avail me to much progress in my career."

His impression was confirmed by McClain during a wiretapped conversation from October 2018 that was played in last year's trial of Tim Mapes, Madigan's chief of staff, who is awaiting sentencing following his conviction last year for lying to a federal grand jury during the investigation of the speaker.

“My assignment is to tell Lou Lang he has no life in the House anymore,” McClain said.

Prosecutors argue that the former speaker and Illinois Democratic Party leader engaged in a pattern of corrupt conduct, using his influence over legislation to obtain kickbacks, jobs and contracts, and managing a machine sustained by a network of loyalists like Lang.

The Skokie Democrat affirmed his loyalty to Madigan even after being pressured to leave the General Assembly, testifying, "He’s been very good to me, and I’m not gonna do anything nasty to him," Courthouse News reported.

Attorneys for the former speaker contend that the Madigan machine was in fact a legitimate political organization, portraying the former speaker as a dedicated public servant and New Deal Democrat who worked to keep Democratic coalitions together.

Madigan's trial on bribery and extortion charges is expected to continue for up to three months.