Ex-politician says bribery, official misconduct statutes are unconstitutional – Center Square

"Political officials routinely work with lobbyists and entertain outreaches from their constituents," Michael Madigan's attorneys wrote in a pre-trial motion seeking to have many of the charges dismissed. "This conduct is central not only to the conduct of office but also to American democracy." The attorneys further argue that "statutes that impermissibly chill such interactions infringe on rights that go to the core of democratic government and violate the First Amendment."