Long-Serving Illinois Democrat Sentenced To Years Behind Bars In Corruption Case
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s remarkable decline from power culminated on Friday with a prison sentence of seven and a half years, accompanied by a fine of $2.5 million.
The once-powerful speaker, recognized as the longest-serving legislative leader in American history, was found guilty of exchanging legislative favors for benefits and financial incentives for his friends and political associates.
U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey delivered the sentence in federal court in Chicago, marking the conclusion of a chapter for a man once referred to as the “Velvet Hammer” due to his subtle yet ruthless control over power. Now 83 years old, Madigan was convicted in February on 10 out of 23 charges following a four-month corruption trial that included 60 witnesses and extensive evidence, such as documents, photographs, and recorded conversations, as reported by The Associated Press.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 12.5 years in prison. Madigan’s attorneys requested probation, contending that he was a good man with good intentions who needed to return home to care for his ill wife, Shirley, who appeared in a video to advocate for his release.
However, Blakey was not persuaded, emphasizing that sentencing guidelines permitted a maximum of 105 years due to the severity of Madigan’s offenses, which the judge described as “a nauseating display of perjury and evasion.”
“You lied. You did not have to. You had a right to sit there and exercise your right to silence,” Blakey stated. “But you took the stand and you took the law into your own hands.”
Madigan dominated Illinois politics for decades, serving nearly 40 years as speaker and over 20 years as the leader of the state Democratic Party. He selected candidates, controlled political boundaries, and dictated the agenda in Springfield. Throughout this time, he discreetly developed a private law practice that enabled him to amass an estimated fortune of $40 million.
The jury determined that Madigan facilitated legislation beneficial to the utility giant ComEd in exchange for a continuous flow of kickbacks, contracts, and job opportunities for his associates. One of these associates was a retiring Chicago alderman who wanted…
“Achieving greatness is a challenging endeavor. In contrast, honesty is straightforward. Committing crimes is difficult; it genuinely requires effort,” Blakey remarked.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker emphasized the point, noting that Madigan had yet to demonstrate any remorse or take responsibility for his actions.
She stated that he had “every opportunity to exemplify the principles of honest governance.” Instead, “he conformed to the archetype of yet another corrupt official in Illinois.”
Madigan’s legal team described the government’s proposed sentence as “draconian.”
“He did not pursue greed. He maintained a very modest lifestyle,” attorney Dan Collins asserted. “The narrative seeks to hold Mike accountable for the extensive history of corruption in Illinois. He is not, Your Honor. He is merely one individual.”
They advocated for a sentence of five years’ probation, one year of home confinement, community service, and a reasonable financial penalty. In the video presented to the court, Shirley Madigan expressed her inability to live without him.
“I truly do not exist without him,” she stated. “I wish I could claim otherwise, but I cannot fathom my life without Michael. I would likely need to find a place to stay, and I would probably require assistance.”
