Latest news with #MikeMadigan
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Former House Speaker Mike Madigan to appear in court Monday ahead of sentencing
Fmr. House Speaker Mike Madigan to appear in court ahead of sentencing Fmr. House Speaker Mike Madigan to appear in court ahead of sentencing Fmr. House Speaker Mike Madigan to appear in court ahead of sentencing Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will be back in court on Monday, just days before his sentencing. The judge is expected to consider post-trial motions. This follows a four-month trial in which Madigan was accused of running a years-long criminal enterprise to enrich himself and his political allies. In February, he was convicted of bribery conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud charges, but he was acquitted of several other charges. Last week, Madigan's wife sent a video pleading with the judge, explaining how she wouldn't know what to do without him around. "I really don't exist without him. I wish I could say that I do, but I don't know what I would do without Michael. I would probably have to find someplace to live, and I would have to find care," Shirley Madigan said. She hopes this video will be played in open court ahead of his sentencing on Friday. Madigan could potentially face up to 20 years in prison.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan's attorneys ask for no prison time for bribery conviction
The Brief Lawyers for ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan are asking that he not be sent to prison for his bribery conviction. Federal prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of more than 12 years and a $15 million fine. Earlier this year, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including bribery and wire fraud. CHICAGO - Attorneys for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are asking that he not be given a prison sentence after he was convicted of bribery and conspiracy earlier this year. What we know Federal prosecutors have already called for sentencing Madigan to more than 12 years in prison, which his lawyers called "draconian," in a new court filing. Madigan's attorneys argued it would essentially be a life sentence for the 83-year-old. Instead, they're asking that Madigan be sentenced to five years' probation, including one year of home detention, community service, and a "reasonable" fine. Prosecutors said they're also seeking a $15 million fine from Madigan. "Madigan was in a special position of trust and responsibility to the public. Yet he deprived all residents of Illinois of honest government and eroded the public's trust," prosecutors wrote in their memo." Earlier this year, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including bribery and wire fraud. 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. What's next Madigan's sentencing is scheduled for this Friday.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Shirley Madigan, wife of former House Speaker Mike Madigan, makes video plea to federal judge before his sentencing
The wife of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is pleading with a federal judge before his sentencing next week. Shirley Madigan sent a video about her husband, who was convicted on corruption charges, that she hopes will be played in open court. In the video, she explained that she wouldn't know what to do without him around. "I really don't exist without him. I wish I could say that I do, but I don't know what I will do without Michael. I would probably have to find some place to live, and I probably would have to find care," she said. Mike Madigan was convicted of bribery conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud charges in February, but was acquitted of several other charges after a four-month trial accusing him of running a years-long criminal enterprise to enrich himself and his political allies. He was convicted on 10 counts and acquitted on seven others, while jurors were deadlocked on six other counts against him. The jury also was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on all six charges against his co-defendant, Michael McClain. The verdict was reached after more than 60 hours of deliberations over 11 days. Madigan and McClain faced a 23-count indictment in federal court in Chicago on charges of racketeering conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. They were accused of conspiring with utility companies ComEd and AT&T to provide no-show jobs to Madigan's allies in exchange for the speaker's help on legislation. Prosecutors also accused Madigan of pressuring real estate developers to hire his private law firm, which specializes in property tax appeals. His sentencing is scheduled for June 13.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Area politicians react to Madigan verdict
Local politicians are reacting to former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's conviction on 10 charges including conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud today. State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia) has released the following statement following the guilty verdict: 'For decades, former House Speaker Michael Madigan and Illinois Democrats abused one-party rule to consolidate unchecked power, disregarding the widespread harm inflicted on our state. Today's guilty verdict is more than just justice served—it exposes a deeply corrupt Democratic machine built on backroom deals, cronyism, and political favoritism, all at the taxpayers' expense. Corruption is woven into the fabric of Illinois politics, and this conviction should be a wake-up call to Democrats: the days of operating without accountability must end. Ethics reform isn't just necessary—it's long overdue.' House Minority Leader Tony McCombie issued this statement today: 'House Republicans remain determined in demanding meaningful reform to restore trust in our government and serve the interests of Illinois families. Today's federal court verdict convicting Mike Madigan, the former Speaker of the House whose 40-year reign casts a long shadow over Illinois politics, on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud underscores the urgent need for action. Unfortunately, Democrats in Springfield have repeatedly failed to take ethics legislation seriously, even after the resignation of the Legislative Inspector General, which should have been a wake-up call for change. Instead of seizing the opportunity to implement real oversight and accountability, the majority party has allowed the status quo of corruption and insider politics to persist. House Republicans are committed to fighting for robust reforms that prioritize the needs of Illinois families over political self-interest. It's time to end the culture of corruption and deliver the honest, transparent government our state deserves.' State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) released this statement: 'The jury has spoken and the rule of law prevails in Illinois even as we see it seemingly slip away in Washington, D.C. This is a stark reminder that elected officials are accountable to every single Illinoisan. Every action we take should serve the people in our districts and the people of the State of Illinois. Instead, when politicians start serving themselves, it is the people, through our justice system, that will send them a message and hand down verdicts like this.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reactions to the conviction of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Reactions came quickly in the wake of the historic verdicts against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and one of his long-time political confidants. Madigan, after more than two months of testimony, was convicted of conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud Wednesday. The jury deadlocked on several other counts. He had been the longest-serving House speaker in the nation when he stepped down in 2021. While in office, exerted considerable influence on the state's political affairs. Madigan, who was speaker for more than three decades and once led the Democratic Party of Illinois, was found guilty of conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud and other counts related to schemes involving the state's largest utility, ComEd, and efforts to get that alderman a state board job. The federal jury acquitted him or deadlocked on counts related to an apartment project, a parking lot in Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood and AT&T legislation. The 23-count federal indictment accused him of using his influence to pass legislation favorable to utility companies that doled out kickbacks, jobs and contracts to his loyalists. An attorney, Madigan, was also accused of benefiting from private work that was illegally steered to his law firm, the charges alleged. Reaction from around the state: State Sen. , (D-Peoria) 'The case of Mike Madigan demonstrates that ethics are crucial and that no one is above the law. In this instance, ethics prevailed, and democracy was upheld. When these values are trampled upon, democracy suffers. The verdict of this case is an important reminder for everyone in public service who we work for.' Deputy Minority Leader and State Rep. (R-Peoria) 'Today's verdict doubles down on what House Republican lawmakers have known for some time: the culture of corruption that has poisoned our statehouse must come to an end. Lawmakers must remain steadfast in our work to expose ethical loopholes that have eroded public trust. The time is now for honest, transparent government, one families across our state can rely on.' State Rep. (R-Macomb) 'Speaker Madigan ruled the Illinois House of Representatives with an iron fist. His reach extended from the 13th Ward in Chicago to the State Capitol in Springfield to the chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. After a five-months-long federal trial on bribery, racketeering and corruption, federal prosecutors demonstrated what those of us who served with Madigan already knew: nearly every decision, legislative action, no-show job, and state board seat that the former Speaker involved himself in came down to one thing – how Mike Madigan could enhance his political power and enrich himself personally. After decades of absolute power for personal gain, justice has finally been served.' Austin Berg, vice president of marketing for the Illinois Policy Institute and author of 'The New Chicago Way.' 'The verdict of this case held former Speaker Madigan accountable for his years of corrupt action, but the battle against Illinois' culture of political corruption must continue. To truly protect taxpayers and voters, we need serious ethics reforms at both the state and city level.' David Greising, president of the Better Government Association 'Today's jury delivered justice to Michael Madigan, convicting him for multiple schemes of public corruption. Now it is time for the state legislature to take note and act boldly where they so far have been timid: Preventing future corruption by enacting ethics reforms that are long overdue.' This story will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
