In a stunning and risky move, ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is planning to take the stand in his own public corruption trial, his lawyers said in court Tuesday. After a morning break, Madigan’s lead attorney,

CHICAGO — Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will take the witness stand in his corruption trial — an unexpected revelation that will likely stretch the already lengthy trial into late January.

Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, was charged with bribery, racketeering, wire fraud, and other crimes.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood “the quid pro quo” of hiring Madigan’s law firm.

In surprising move, former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken the stand at his own corruption trial.

Madigan's surprise decision to testify could push back the start of jury deliberations until the last week of January.

Several weeks into a federal corruption trial, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken the stand to testify in his own defense. Facing a 23-count indictment for bribery, racketeering,

Madigan is accused of using his power and influence to arrange for no-show jobs for his allies, and business for his own law firm.

Mike Madigan and Mike McClain have known each other since they both were state representatives in the 1970s, but their decades of friendship is now strained in the face of multiple corruption charges.