Former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, the country’s longest-serving state House leader, has been sentenced to 7½ years in prison and a $2.5 million fine on corruption convictions. The 83-year-old will be expected to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Oct. 13. In February, a jury found guilty Madigan of bribery conspiracy, wire fraud and other crimes. What was Madigan convicted of? In February, a federal jury found Madigan guilty of a nearly decadelong bribery conspiracy involving ComEd. It also convicted him of a plot to install former 25th Ward Ald. Danny Solis on a state board in exchange for Solis’ help securing private business for Madigan’s law firm. Madigan was convicted on 10 counts in total. He was acquitted of attempted extortion and other crimes involving Solis and an apartment project in the West Loop. State Rep. Anna Moeller, an Elgin Democrat, said Madigan’s sentence served as a reminder that no public official is above the law. Moeller is one of 19 House Democrats who opposed Madigan’s bid for re-election as House speaker in 2021, amid probes into the bribery scheme involving ComEd lobbyists. Moeller said her feelings from back then are still relevant today, and that elected officials must be “held to the highest ethical standards.” “I think what’s happened today can help rebuild trust in the government, and send a signal to others who may want to abuse the system or use it to enrich themselves,” Moeller said. Leaders in the Illinois General Assembly said former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentence should serve as a lesson to those who hold public office. In a statement, Senate President Don Harmon said the role of powerful political leaders is to serve the public, and there is “accountability for those who do not.” House Minority Leader Tony McCombie also said Madigan has “victimized the entire state of Illinois,” adding that she hoped her Democratic colleagues, who maintain a supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly, would now be spurred to pass measures like stricter penalties for corruption. Andrew Boutros, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said the sentence handed down to Madigan sends “a clear message that the criminal conduct by former Speaker [Michael] Madigan was unacceptable.” “Corruption at the highest level of the state legislature tears at the fabric of a vital governing body,” Boutros said in a statement. He said Madigan’s sentence was the result of the “grit and determination” of federal prosecutors. Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, said the sentence shows the FBI’s dedication to investigating corruption and fraud. “Madigan was elected to serve the people of Illinois, but his actions demonstrated time and time again that his priority was his own personal interests and gain,” DePodesta said in a statement. Michael Madigan did not speak to reporters before leaving the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Friday following his sentencing hearing. Michael Madigan leaves Dirksen Federal Courthouse after his sentencing hearing Friday, June 13, 2025. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for corruption involving the abuse of the powerful state office he held for decades. Madigan will be due to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Oct. 13. The former speaker will ask to remain free pending appeal, according to Dan Collins, one of Madigan’s attorneys. District Judge John Blakey said Michael Madigan’s case is “really sad.” “The defendant is a dedicated public servant, apart from the crimes proven in this case,” Blakey said. Blakey said Madigan’s advanced age “is important,” as he weighs the former house speaker’s sentence. And he said “you can’t sentence a social problem.” “Defendant is responsible for his public corruption, not the public corruption of Illinois,” Blakey said. “The guidelines say 105 years. I don’t know what’s the point of 105 years.” Michael Madigan told the judge who will soon sentence him he was “truly sorry for putting the people of the state of Illinois through this.” “I tried to do my best to serve the people of the state of Illinois,” Madigan said. “I am not perfect.” Madigan took a long sip of water before speaking and addressed the judge for only about 90 seconds. He asked the judge to let him take care of his wife Shirley. “And I ask you let me spend my final days with my family,” Madigan said.
Defense attorney Dan Collins told the judge that the sentence given to Michael Madigan should be “about the reality of Mike.” “Mike did not live his life to seek power. He tried to lead his party,” Collins said. He said Madigan lived his life in service of his neighbors, and that his actions aligned with the “Catholic values that he was raised with.” “I hope that we don’t sentence Mike based on rhetoric. I hope we sentence him on the reality. The reality is he spent his life looking out for the little guy,” Collins said. And now, Collins said, Madigan spends his life “caring for his sick wife.” Collins ended his statement by asking for mercy. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said Madigan’s crimes were “particularly grave.” “At the very pinnacle of power in state government, defendant Michael Madigan exploited his power to enrich himself and his associates,” Streicker said. “He now stands convicted of 10 crimes, including some of the most serious that a public official can commit.” Streicker went on to argue that Madigan was uniquely powerful in Illinois politics, and abused that power. She said Madigan “was out for power and profit.” “Governors, they came and went over the years. But Madigan stayed. His power and his presence remained constant. He had every opportunity to set the standard for honest government. But instead … he fit right into the mold of yet another corrupt leader in Illinois.” After hearing arguments and giving a detailed explanation of his reasoning, Judge John Blakey said the sentencing guidelines for Michael Madigan’s crimes recommend a sentence of 105 years in prison. The decision is a victory for prosecutors who asked the judge to sentence Madigan to 12.5 years behind bars . Blakey pointed to the expectation that ComEd’s legislation at issue in the case would “increase the company’s shareholder value by $400 million.” He called that a “reasonable,” “reliable” and “conservative” estimate of the value of the ComEd conspiracy. He also repeatedly said Madigan perjured himself during the trial. “The defendant lied,” Blakey said. Finally, Blakey noted that Madigan has not accepted responsibility and has continued to “protest his purported innocence.” It’s important to note Blakey is not required to abide by the guidelines. Judge John Blakey said prosecutors have shown that Michael Madigan “willfully gave false testimony with respect to material matters in this case.” “If a defendant decides to take the stand and tell the jury a story, he does so at his own risk,” Blakey said. The judge’s comments come about an hour after Madigan’s attorney said “honesty is a core value” to the former speaker. Judge John Blakey said “the government has carried its burden with overwhelming evidence” showing Michael Madigan “clearly rises to the level of organizer, leader or supervisor” for the purposes of the sentencing guidelines. “Madigan acted as the central command post of the entire bribery scheme and, but for his leadership role within it, none of it would have occurred,” Blakey said. Blakey made the comments during a detailed breakdown of his reasoning on what guidelines should govern the length of time Madigan is facing in prison. Blakey also pointed to the expectation that ComEd’s legislation at issue in the case would “increase the company’s shareholder value by $400 million.” He called that a “reasonable,” “reliable” and “conservative” estimate of the value of the ComEd conspiracy. It’s important to note Blakey is not required to abide by the sentencing guidelines. During a discussion over letters of support written for the former House Speaker, Madigan attorney Lari Dierks told Judge Blakey that it’s the former speaker’s position that he is innocent. But Blakey presses Dierks on whether Madigan insists on his innocence?
Dierks (after looking back at co-counsel): "Yes, your honor." The exchange came after Dierks told Judge Blakey that it “matters greatly” that more than 130 people wrote letters to the court in support of Madigan . “They shared that Mike is known for being truthful. His word is his bond. Honesty is a core value to him,” Dierks said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz retorted that “Madigan got on the stand and lied. And these were purposeful lies, intended to affect the jury’s decision-making process.” Schwartz pointed to Madigan’s claim that he expected his allies to work for the money they were paid by ComEd. Dierks disputed what Schwartz said, but Blakey interrupted Dierks to ask if it is her position that Madigan is “not guilty of any of the counts.” At first Dierks tried to punt on the question, but when Blakey pressed her on whether Madigan insists on his innocence, Dierks told him, “Yes, your honor.” Moments after the hearing started, Madigan, wearing a black suit, was called to stand in front of Blakey. The judge asked the former house speaker how we was feeling. Madigan smiled and said, “I’ve had better days.” Blakey then walked Madigan through how the hearing would go. He told Madigan about a conversation he once had with another judge who told him that the day he found sentencing a person easy, “is the day you have to quit.” “I’m not in danger of quitting today,” Blakey said. The sentencing hearing for former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan is now underway. Judge John Blakey started the hearing a little after 1 p.m. before a packed courtroom. Madigan’s children Andrew, Tiffany and Nicole are in the courtroom to support their father. Madigan’s daughter, former four-term Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, is not seated with family in the courtroom.
CONTINUE READING
Defense attorney Dan Collins told the judge that the sentence given to Michael Madigan should be “about the reality of Mike.” “Mike did not live his life to seek power. He tried to lead his party,” Collins said. He said Madigan lived his life in service of his neighbors, and that his actions aligned with the “Catholic values that he was raised with.” “I hope that we don’t sentence Mike based on rhetoric. I hope we sentence him on the reality. The reality is he spent his life looking out for the little guy,” Collins said. And now, Collins said, Madigan spends his life “caring for his sick wife.” Collins ended his statement by asking for mercy. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said Madigan’s crimes were “particularly grave.” “At the very pinnacle of power in state government, defendant Michael Madigan exploited his power to enrich himself and his associates,” Streicker said. “He now stands convicted of 10 crimes, including some of the most serious that a public official can commit.” Streicker went on to argue that Madigan was uniquely powerful in Illinois politics, and abused that power. She said Madigan “was out for power and profit.” “Governors, they came and went over the years. But Madigan stayed. His power and his presence remained constant. He had every opportunity to set the standard for honest government. But instead … he fit right into the mold of yet another corrupt leader in Illinois.” After hearing arguments and giving a detailed explanation of his reasoning, Judge John Blakey said the sentencing guidelines for Michael Madigan’s crimes recommend a sentence of 105 years in prison. The decision is a victory for prosecutors who asked the judge to sentence Madigan to 12.5 years behind bars . Blakey pointed to the expectation that ComEd’s legislation at issue in the case would “increase the company’s shareholder value by $400 million.” He called that a “reasonable,” “reliable” and “conservative” estimate of the value of the ComEd conspiracy. He also repeatedly said Madigan perjured himself during the trial. “The defendant lied,” Blakey said. Finally, Blakey noted that Madigan has not accepted responsibility and has continued to “protest his purported innocence.” It’s important to note Blakey is not required to abide by the guidelines. Judge John Blakey said prosecutors have shown that Michael Madigan “willfully gave false testimony with respect to material matters in this case.” “If a defendant decides to take the stand and tell the jury a story, he does so at his own risk,” Blakey said. The judge’s comments come about an hour after Madigan’s attorney said “honesty is a core value” to the former speaker. Judge John Blakey said “the government has carried its burden with overwhelming evidence” showing Michael Madigan “clearly rises to the level of organizer, leader or supervisor” for the purposes of the sentencing guidelines. “Madigan acted as the central command post of the entire bribery scheme and, but for his leadership role within it, none of it would have occurred,” Blakey said. Blakey made the comments during a detailed breakdown of his reasoning on what guidelines should govern the length of time Madigan is facing in prison. Blakey also pointed to the expectation that ComEd’s legislation at issue in the case would “increase the company’s shareholder value by $400 million.” He called that a “reasonable,” “reliable” and “conservative” estimate of the value of the ComEd conspiracy. It’s important to note Blakey is not required to abide by the sentencing guidelines. During a discussion over letters of support written for the former House Speaker, Madigan attorney Lari Dierks told Judge Blakey that it’s the former speaker’s position that he is innocent. But Blakey presses Dierks on whether Madigan insists on his innocence?
Dierks (after looking back at co-counsel): "Yes, your honor." The exchange came after Dierks told Judge Blakey that it “matters greatly” that more than 130 people wrote letters to the court in support of Madigan . “They shared that Mike is known for being truthful. His word is his bond. Honesty is a core value to him,” Dierks said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz retorted that “Madigan got on the stand and lied. And these were purposeful lies, intended to affect the jury’s decision-making process.” Schwartz pointed to Madigan’s claim that he expected his allies to work for the money they were paid by ComEd. Dierks disputed what Schwartz said, but Blakey interrupted Dierks to ask if it is her position that Madigan is “not guilty of any of the counts.” At first Dierks tried to punt on the question, but when Blakey pressed her on whether Madigan insists on his innocence, Dierks told him, “Yes, your honor.” Moments after the hearing started, Madigan, wearing a black suit, was called to stand in front of Blakey. The judge asked the former house speaker how we was feeling. Madigan smiled and said, “I’ve had better days.” Blakey then walked Madigan through how the hearing would go. He told Madigan about a conversation he once had with another judge who told him that the day he found sentencing a person easy, “is the day you have to quit.” “I’m not in danger of quitting today,” Blakey said. The sentencing hearing for former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan is now underway. Judge John Blakey started the hearing a little after 1 p.m. before a packed courtroom. Madigan’s children Andrew, Tiffany and Nicole are in the courtroom to support their father. Madigan’s daughter, former four-term Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, is not seated with family in the courtroom.
