Former Speaker Mike Madigan leaves the federal courthouse in Chicago following opening statements in his criminal trial. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Six months had passed since former Speaker Mike Madigan’s office was embarrassed by sexual harassment allegations made public by a political staff member in February 2018. Kevin Quinn, a former 13th Ward political operative for Madigan, had been out of a job since Madigan fired him over the allegations. Another close Madigan operative, lobbyist Mike McClain, thought Quinn needed some financial help.