Michael J. Madigan, one of Illinois’ most powerful politicians, has been found guilty of corruption charges in a major trial. Madigan, who served as the state’s House Speaker for 36 years and led the Democratic Party of Illinois, was convicted of taking bribes from energy company ComEd and trying to secure a government job for a former alderman in exchange for personal business favors.
However, the jury did not find him guilty of all charges. While they convicted him on 10 counts, they could not agree on whether he ran a broad criminal operation. Some other accusations, including deals involving a Chinatown parking lot and AT&T Illinois, ended without a decision.
Madigan’s conviction comes just two days after former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich had his criminal record cleared by former President Donald Trump. Now, Madigan faces serious prison time, with some charges carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years. No sentencing date has been set yet.
Key Takeaways from the Trial
The trial lasted four months and gave insight into the behind-the-scenes world of Illinois politics. The jury listened to over 100 secret recordings, including conversations where officials discussed bribery, political favors, and power deals.
One of the biggest pieces of evidence came from former Alderman Danny Solis, who secretly recorded conversations with Madigan while working with the FBI. However, some jurors doubted Solis’ credibility, as he had his own legal troubles and cooperated to avoid prosecution.
Madigan’s co-defendant, Michael McClain, was also on trial but was not convicted. He is still fighting a previous bribery conviction from 2023.
What’s Next?
Madigan’s conviction is one of the biggest corruption cases in Illinois history. He now joins a long list of Illinois politicians convicted of corruption, including former governors and city officials. The federal government has been investigating political corruption in Chicago since 2014, leading to charges against about 20 people, with nine already in prison.
Federal prosecutors have not yet decided if they will retry Madigan on the unresolved charges. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 5. Meanwhile, investigations into political corruption in Illinois continue, with more trials expected in the coming months.
Madigan has not made a public statement about the verdict, and his attorneys are expected to appeal the decision.
