Michael Madigan, the longest-serving speaker in the history of the Illinois House of Representatives, has been sentenced to 7.5 years (90 months) in federal prison and fined $2.5 million for his role in a wide-ranging public corruption scheme.
U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey delivered the sentence Friday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago, also imposing three years of supervised release following the prison term. Madigan, 83, must report to prison by October 13.
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- 1 Judge Rebukes Madigan for “Nauseating” Lies
- 2 Corruption Involving Utility Giant ComEd
- 3 Defense Pleads for Mercy
- 4 Judge: Madigan Led the Bribery Operation
- 5 Aftermath and Next Steps
Judge Rebukes Madigan for “Nauseating” Lies
Judge Blakey acknowledged Madigan’s decades of public service but harshly criticized his decision to commit crimes despite having “no reason” to do so. Calling the trial “a tale of two Michael Madigans,” the judge said the former speaker’s perjury on the stand was a major aggravating factor in the sentencing.
“You lied, sir. You did not have to, but you did,” Blakey told Madigan, describing his testimony as “a nauseating display of perjury and evasion.”
Blakey dismissed the defense’s request for leniency—home confinement and probation—and said that despite Madigan’s age and family circumstances, the seriousness of his crimes demanded a substantial prison term.
Corruption Involving Utility Giant ComEd
A jury convicted Madigan in February on 10 counts, including bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and use of a facility to promote unlawful activity. At the core of the case was Madigan’s alleged use of his political power to benefit Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) in exchange for lucrative contracts and political favors.
The judge agreed with prosecutors that ComEd saw a projected increase of $400 million in shareholder value due to favorable legislation pushed by Madigan.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker argued that Madigan’s actions eroded trust in government, stating:
“Governors, they came and went over the years, but Madigan stayed. His power and his presence remained constant… The primary harm is the erosion of trust in government.”
She compared the damage Madigan caused to that of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted in a separate corruption case but later pardoned by President Trump.
Defense Pleads for Mercy
Madigan’s attorneys emphasized his declining health, his role as caretaker for his ill wife, and his lifetime of public service. They urged the court to show compassion.
“Mike did not live his life to seek power,” said attorney Dan Collins. “Today, judge, mercy is justice. Mike deserves mercy today.”
More than 140 letters were submitted on Madigan’s behalf, including some from former Republican politicians—a move Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie criticized, saying it highlighted the need for bipartisan ethics reform.
Judge: Madigan Led the Bribery Operation
The court applied sentencing enhancements, ruling that Madigan was the organizer and central command of the corruption scheme. The judge specifically cited Madigan’s false statements regarding a state board appointment for ex-Alderman Daniel Solis, a government informant.
Blakey emphasized that the crimes were not isolated or opportunistic, but the result of a calculated and sustained abuse of power:
“Madigan acted as the central command post for the entire bribery scheme.”
Aftermath and Next Steps
Madigan’s co-defendant, Michael McClain, was convicted in the ComEd Four trial in 2023 and faces sentencing next month. Prosecutors moved to dismiss additional counts against Madigan following his conviction.
The statutory maximum fine of $2.5 million was imposed, exceeding the sentencing guidelines range of $50,000 to $500,000. Judge Blakey said this was justified given the scale of the corruption.
Madigan’s political career spanned 50 years, including nearly four decades as speaker (1983–2021) and two decades as head of the Illinois Democratic Party (1998–2021). With this sentencing, a major chapter in Illinois’ long history of political scandal comes to a close.
“I’m truly sorry for putting the people of the state of Illinois through this,” Madigan told the court before sentencing.
