Mapes trial foreshadows federal case against Mike Madigan, lifts veil on ex-speaker’s political secrecy – Chicago Tribune/MSN

The nearly three-week trial ripped a deeper tear in the veil covering the secretive Madigan political machine that prosecutors have called a criminal enterprise. Evidence also captured the once-formidable speaker’s cutthroat moves to banish anyone who might hurt his struggle to hang onto power.  The Mapes trial also previewed the outlines of an ill-fated Chinatown land transfer deal that is included in the sweeping racketeering case filed against Madigan himself.