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A former influential lawmaker from Illinois has been sentenced after being found guilty in a federal corruption case.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Michael Madigan was one of the most powerful and enduring figures in Illinois politics, serving as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for nearly four decades and holding office in the legislature for over 50 years. Madigan also chaired the Illinois Democratic Party from 1998 to 2021.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, former House Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison and fined $2.5 million after being convicted in February 2025 on 10 of 23 federal charges related to a wide-ranging political corruption scheme. The charges included bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and violations of the Travel Act, centering on a plot where Madigan used his public office to reward loyalists with jobs, contracts, and political favors in exchange for personal and political gain. A key part of the scheme involved Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), which was accused of offering no-work jobs and contracts to Madigan allies in return for favorable legislation pushed through the state legislature.
Evidence presented at trial included more than 60 witnesses, thousands of wiretapped conversations, and internal documents (some obtained through the cooperation of an associate who had secretly recorded conversations with Madigan as part of an FBI investigation).
During the sentencing hearing, Madigan expressed remorse but stopped short of admitting guilt. He asked US District Judge John Robert Blakey for leniency, requesting probation due to his age (he’s 83) & so he could care for his dying wife. His legal team pushed for a sentence of five years’ probation with home confinement, citing his long career in public service, advanced age, and his wife’s dependency on him.
Federal prosecutors were pushing for a 12.5-year sentence, arguing that Madigan had every opportunity to lead with integrity but instead “fit right into the mold of yet another corrupt leader in Illinois.”
Despite this, Judge Blakey rejected these pleas, pointing to what he called a “nauseating display of perjury and evasion” during Madigan’s testimony, where he lied under oath about his relationship with close confidant Michael McClain and other key elements of the scheme.
Madigan is ordered to report to prison on October 13, though his attorneys intend to seek bond pending appeal.
