Column: Big Madigan show awaits as jury selection continues – Champaign News-Gazette

Jim Dey: "A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that put a stamp of legal approval on 'gratuities' paid to public officials for past favors raised questions about the viability of the corruption case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. ... But the government sharply responded; the case against Madigan doesn’t involve now-legal 'gratuities' — one-time payments made in appreciation — but instead concerns an illegal 'stream of benefits' — multiple payments made over a long period of time designed to win official favors."