Former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis concluded a pivotal week of testimony in the corruption trial of former Speaker of the House Michael Madigan on Wednesday. Federal prosecutors say Madigan and his top aide Michael McClain ran a criminal conspiracy to enrich themselves and expand their political influence.

Nearly seven years ago, two political insiders sitting in a City Hall office agreed: These days, you have to be careful how you talk. Too many politicians are much too obvious about their corrupt intentions and self-dealing,