CHICAGO – Former Illinois House Speaker michael Madigan‘s bid to delay his prison sentence was denied by an appeals court just ten days before his scheduled surrender, effectively ending his attempts to remain free while appealing his conviction. Madigan, who led the Illinois House for all but two years between 1983 and 2021 – including two years after a federal investigation became public in 2019 – was found guilty of racketeering and bribery.
The case stemmed from a years-long investigation into ComEd,the state’s largest electric utility,and its alleged efforts to illegally influence Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation. Federal prosecutors charged comed in July 2020, followed by charges against four ComEd officials and lobbyists in November of the same year.
Those convicted in 2023 for their roles in the conspiracy include longtime Madigan ally Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, and onetime City Club President Jay Doherty. Doherty is currently serving a one-year sentence, while Hooker is set to begin an 18-month term Tuesday. McClain and Pramaggiore have been sentenced to two years each and will report to prison on October 30 and December 1, respectively.
The investigation ultimately cost Madigan his speakership. Facing indictment just two months before a House vote for speaker,he was unable to secure enough votes and relinquished the gavel to current Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. Madigan himself was indicted in March 2022 on a 106-page racketeering conspiracy indictment alongside McClain. Their trial began in fall 2024 and lasted four months, featuring testimony from over 60 witnesses.
A key witness was former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, who began cooperating with the FBI in June 2016, wearing a wire to gather evidence against Madigan and others, including former Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke. Burke was previously convicted of racketeering and served nine months of a two-year sentence.
In exchange for Solis’ cooperation, prosecutors dropped a bribery charge against him, fulfilling their agreement earlier this year following Madigan’s conviction. While Madigan, McClain, Burke, and others faced convictions, Solis avoided conviction and retained his City Hall pension. The initial scheme involved then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis being installed on a state board in exchange for his help securing private business for Madigan’s tax appeal law firm.
