Madigan’s longtime aide Will Cousineau continues his testimony for a second day.

The jury convened around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday before Cousineau returned to the stand.

Cousineau served in a dual role as both Madigan’s issues director and political director of the Illinois Democratic Party.

In exchange for his testimony, the government presented Cousineau with a letter of immunity; In this letter, he essentially stated that he could not be accused if he testified truthfully.

During his testimony, Cousineau offered an inside look at how the speaker’s office operated under Madigan and the people who were part of his inner circle, including Cousineau, Chief of Staff Tim Mapes, Heather Weir Vaught, Craig Willert and Mike McClain. others. Of these, only Mike McClain was not directly assigned as part of the speaker lineup.

The testimony focuses on Cousineau’s role in efforts to pass two major bills: EIMA in 2011 and FEJA in 2016. The two bills are at the center of the government’s corruption case against Madigan and McClain as they relate to the ComEd portion. Especially in the indictment.

Although Cousineau was not directly involved in the 2011 passage of EIMA or the Smart Grid, Cousineau noted how the speaker often replaced members outside the committee when certain bills needed to be voted on in the chamber, and regular members knew they would vote. against the bill.

As of November 2016, Cousineau participated in several working group meetings regarding FEJA, ComEd’s second major legislative push.

McClain, who was ComEd’s contract lobbyist the entire time, was also part of the working groups. Cousineau said he fills a dual role.

“Mr. McClain certainly explained or talked about what the company was looking for. But he was also there as a strategic advisor to the speaker,” Cousineau said.

In the days leading up to the December 1, 2016 vote where FEJA was ultimately signed into law, it became clear that there were not enough Democratic votes to pass the legislation. Cousineau and his team, along with the Sierra Club, set out to persuade members to change their votes.

“I talked to them about why they should support the bill,” Cousineau said. “We wanted the bill to pass in the House of Representatives.”

Cousineau often appeared reluctant to answer during his testimony or did so in a low voice.

This is the third time Cousineau has been called to testify in a federal case involving Madigan. He was previously summoned during both the ComEd Four Trial and the perjury trial of Madigan’s former chief of staff, Tim Mapes.

The court adjourned at around 10.45 am.

The court will take a break at 15.00 on Wednesday.

This is expected to be the standard finish time on Wednesdays.