Ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan begins prison term in major corruption case

CHICAGO (WGN) — Former Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan began serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence Monday after being found guilty by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery earlier this year.

The longtime political figure was convicted in February on 10 of 23 counts in a remarkable corruption trial that lasted four months. The case churned through 60 witnesses and mountains of documents, photographs and taped conversations.

Madigan was sentenced to 90 months in prison, along with a $2.5 million fine, the statutory maximum. He had until 2 p.m. Monday to turn himself in.

Madigan must serve 85 percent of his sentence, which would be a little over six years.

During his sentencing, attorneys asked if Madigan could serve his time in Terre Haute, Indiana, which is closer to his family.

University of Illinois Chicago political science professor Dick Simpson, who has studied Chicago politics for decades, testified as an expert witness during the trial.

“The evidence was overwhelming. The jury’s decisions on 10 counts, which he was convicted (of), were clear,” Simpson said. “There wasn’t any ambiguity, and the judge is simply moving ahead with the process.”

Madigan’s 10 federal convictions centered on two key cases: His effort to get former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis appointed to a state board and a bribery scheme involving utility giant ComEd.

Earlier this month, a federal appeals court denied Madigan’s request to stay out of prison while his legal team appeals his convictions.

“The judge wants to send a clear signal that corruption is not allowed,” Simpson said. “Jail time is not any fun. It’s very difficult, and it’s a severe punishment.”

According to Simpson, about 2,500 Illinois public officials have been convicted in federal court and sent to prison since 1976. He hopes this major case will inspire reform, similar to the response that followed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s conviction.

Simpson believes the 83-year-old’s time behind bars could ultimately be shortened.

“With his age, his health problems, and his wife’s health problems, he may well get out of prison earlier, but he will still have to serve jail time,” Simpson said.

Madigan controlled the Illinois House for 36 years, making him the longest-serving state house speaker in US history.

He also chaired the state Democratic party for 23 years and was a major political force in Chicago’s 13th Ward.

Retired Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long, who began covering Madigan in 1981, later wrote a book chronicling his decades of political power.

“He once was on top of everything and top of the world. Basically what he said goes in Springfield,” Long said.

Long pointed out it took nearly eight years of federal investigation, including wiretaps and cooperating informants, to build the case that ultimately led to Madigan’s conviction.

He says state lawmakers still need to close loopholes and strengthen ethics laws to clearly define what legislators and lobbyists are prohibited from doing because current penalties for violations are too lenient.

“As a result, Illinois is not as likely to shake away its image nationally for being a corrupt state,” Long said.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie released the following statement Monday concerning Madigan reporting to federal prison:

“Today marks another painful chapter in Illinois’ long and troubling history of public corruption. Each scandal chips away at the public’s trust and further erodes confidence in our state government.

“What’s most disappointing is the silence from so many in the majority party, lawmakers either unwilling to condemn this behavior or unwilling to take real action to prevent it from happening again. Their inaction speaks volumes.

“Illinois can’t afford to keep repeating this cycle of scandal and shame. Meaningful ethics reform could be passed tomorrow, if only Democratic leaders would find the courage to join us in restoring integrity and trust in state government.”