Politics
Powerful Democrat Sentenced To Prison In Corruption Case
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to a lengthy federal prison term on Friday following his conviction in a sprawling corruption case.
Madigan, 83, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and ordered to pay a $2.5 million fine after he was convicted of trading legislation in order to enrich his friends and political allies. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced the longtime Illinois power player, who holds the distinction of being the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Madigan, nicknamed the “Velvet Hammer” for his often quiet but ruthlessly effective style, was convicted in February on 10 of 23 counts in a corruption trial that last four months. The trial heard testimony from 60 witnesses, in addition to droves of documents, photographs and recorded conversations.
Madigan speaks at the end of the 2013 Spring session in Illinois
Madigan’s legislative career began in 1971, when he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. He went on to serve nearly four decades as House speaker, the longest tenure on record for a U.S. legislator.
He also served as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party from 1998 through 2021, where he set much of the state’s political agenda and handpicked candidates for powerful offices. Madigan is also credited with playing a major role in the state’s political mapmaking, which he often used to benefit the Democratic Party.
While in power, Madigan used his position to build a private legal career that ultimately netted him a fortune worth north of $40 million. The Chicago Democrat was convicted on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges for ensuring approval of legislation favorable to utility giant ComEd in exchange for kickbacks and jobs and contracts for key allies, including a Chicago alderman seeking a paid job on a state board after retiring from public service, according to a trial analysis from the New York Post.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison. Attorneys for Madigan had sought five years’ probation, describing him as a loyal public servant who needs to be home in order to care for his ailing wife, Shirley.
Judge Blakely noted that federal sentencing guidelines allowed for a term of 105 years based on findings in evidence, including the notable fact that Madigan committed perjury during the trial.
“You lied. You did not have to. You had a right to sit there and exercise your right to silence,” Blakey said. “But you took the stand and you took the law into your own hands.”
