Ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan sentenced in corruption case

CHICAGO - Michael Madigan, the once-powerful speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, has learned his fate following his conviction on bribery and conspiracy charges earlier this year.

Madigan, 83, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and must pay a $2.5 million fine within 30 days. He must serve at least 6.3 years of his sentence.

Sentencing Hearing Timeline:

4:25 p.m. - Madigan receives sentence

Madigan was sentenced to a $2.5 million fine, and it must be paid within 30 days. He was also sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, which is 10-15 years less than the feds asked for. 

Madigan showed no reaction to his sentence. 

4:15 p.m. - Judge comments on Madigan's age 

"The defendant's age is important… a defendant who is older doesn't have the time to pay that debt in the same way," Blakey said. 

"This sentence is not based on rhetoric or myth. It's not based on the myth of the Velvet Hammer or the wizard of Springfield…"

The judge called Madigan's testimony "a nauseating display," saying "you lied sir. You lied and you didn't have to. This is a case of two Madigans."

4:05 p.m. - Madigan apologizes at hearing

"I am truly sorry, putting the people of the State of Illinois through this. I tried to do my best to serve the people of Illinois. I'm not perfect. I am most proud of being a good husband, father and now grandfather," Madigan said. 

Madigan also asked the judge to allow him to spend his final days taking care of his wife and being home with his family. 

Judge Blakely is now speaking and quoted Abraham Lincoln: "Being great is hard, but being honest is not."

3:52 p.m. - Judge Blakely offers Madigan chance to speak; attorneys request 10-minute break

Judge Blakely offers Madigan the chance to speak on his own behalf. His attorneys asked for a 10-minute break. 

3:45 p.m. - Defense: Madigan ‘did not receive a dime’

Defense attorney Dan Collins pushed back, saying, "When the government talks about power and greed, that’s not reality … he did not receive a dime."

"For all of the people he has helped over the decades, Mike deserves mercy today," Collins added.

3:27 p.m. - Prosecutor: Madigan abused power, shows no remorse

"At the very pinnacle of power of state government, Michael Madigan exploited his power to enrich himself. He breached the public trust and his actions hurt all the residents of Illinois," Stryker said. 

"The defendant does not show any remorse… He wants to be sent home like he did nothing wrong. Public officials who engage in misconduct should face a serious prison sentence, not a slap on the wrist," Stryker added. 

3:18 p.m. - Feds want Madigan barred from public office

The government is asking that as part of Michael Madigan’s supervised release, he be barred from holding public office.

Madigan’s attorney responded that Madigan wants to spend time with his ailing wife and has no intention of ever seeking office again.

3:10 p.m. - Judge: Madigan showed no remorse, could count against him

Judge Blakey said Madigan has shown no remorse, which could count against him during sentencing.

"If a defendant does show remorse and takes responsibility, the sentence can be reduced … but Madigan continues to purport his innocence," Blakey said.

Blakey also suggested Madigan made a serious mistake by testifying in his own defense, which could lead to a longer sentence than he might have otherwise received.

With all sentencing enhancements, Blakey said the advisory range for Madigan’s sentence is 105 years in prison.

Judge is currently going over sentencing options. 

3 p.m. - Hearing is back in session; Judge says Madigan guilty in failed Solis appointment scheme

Judge Blakey said Madigan is guilty of scheming to recommend Danny Solis for a state board position, even though the appointment never occurred.

"Solicitations and attempts are treated the same as completed schemes…," Blakey said. 

2:45 p.m. - Judge claims Madigan lied on witness stand

Before sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert Blakey addressed the possibility of an additional perjury charge against Madigan for his testimony on the stand.

"If a defendant decides to take the stand, and if he commits perjury, the court can enhance his sentence," Blakey said.

The judge said Madigan clearly lied under oath about arranging no-work contracts for his political allies. The hearing took a short break.

What we know:

Federal prosecutors have recommended that he be sentenced to more than 12 years in prison and fined $1.5 million.

Madigan's attorneys called that recommendation "draconian" – and asked that he be given five years' probation, community service, and a "reasonable" fine. His attorneys argued the government's recommendation would essentially be a life sentence for the 83-year-old.

In February, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including bribery and wire fraud.

What they're saying:

"Corruption at the highest level of the state legislature tears at the fabric of a vital governing body," said U.S. Attorney Boutros.  "It was the grit and determination of our team of prosecutors and law enforcement agents, led by our former colleague, Amarjeet S. Bhachu, who served as the Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Public Corruption and Organized Crime Section until earlier this year, that allowed this case to reach a jury and send a clear message that the criminal conduct by former Speaker Madigan was unacceptable.  I couldn’t be prouder of the strong commitment of our law enforcement partners at the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.  Our Office and our partners remain steadfast in our commitment to vigorously prosecute corruption at all levels of government and hold public officials accountable for violating the public trust."

"Mr. 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," said FBI SAC DePodesta.  "Thanks to the dedicated investigative and prosecutorial teams, he will now be held accountable for those criminal actions.  The FBI remains dedicated to aggressively investigating corruption and fraud to ensure that the public has faith in our democratic institutions and elected leaders who are truly honest and fair."

"Today’s sentencing marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to uphold the integrity of public service," said IRS-CI SAC Covington.  "Through meticulously tracing the flow of illicit funds tied to legislative influence and no-show jobs, our team has demonstrated that no individual—regardless of stature or tenure—is beyond the reach of the law.  Holding Michael J. Madigan accountable today reinforces the core principle that public trust is sacred, and those who betray it will be brought to justice."

State Representative Tony McCombie issued a statement on behalf of the Illinois General Assembly, shared below:

"Today’s sentencing of former Speaker Mike Madigan is a stark and shameful reminder of the corruption that has plagued Illinois government for far too long. Justice was served—but the damage to public trust runs deep. Sentences like this matter. They are designed to deter bad behavior and prove that no one is above the law.

"But deterrence isn’t enough—we need action. That means passing real, enforceable reforms—not more political theater. I’m calling on Democrats to stop the stall tactics and join us in advancing common-sense, bipartisan ethics reforms. The people of Illinois deserve better than backroom deals and broken trust.

"Let’s show the public that integrity still matters in Illinois."

The backstory:

The former speaker, arguably the most powerful politician in Illinois at one point, was accused of using his role leading the state House and heading the state Democratic Party to enrich himself and his allies by securing jobs, contracts, and other financial benefits.

Madigan served for 50 years in the Illinois General Assembly and represented a district on Chicago's Southwest Side.

He served as speaker for all but two years between 1983 and 2021, when he was forced out by fellow Democratic members amid the federal investigation that ultimately led to his corruption conviction. He resigned his seat in the House in 2021.

Madigan was the longest-serving legislative leader in the history of the U.S.

Madigan also led the Democratic Party of Illinois as chair from 1988 until he resigned that post in 2021. As the party chair, he had influence over where the party would allocate its financial resources for elections.

Illinois Republicans often portrayed Madigan as a corrupt kingmaker in state politics and attempted to tie many Democratic candidates to him.

During much of his career, Madigan was also a property tax attorney and worked in his successful private practice.

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