SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The longest-serving statehouse Speaker in U.S. history was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison Friday for public corruption. Michael Madigan will also have to go through 3 years of probation and pay a $2.5 million fine.

Madigan, famously nicknamed the Velvet Hammer, was Speaker of the Illinois House for nearly 40 years and led the state's Democratic party. Now, the 83-year-old is set to serve 90 months behind bars.

In a 2022 indictment, prosecutors said Madigan conspired to solicit and demand jobs, contracts, and other bribes from Commonwealth Edison. In exchange, lawmakers would pass bills favorable for the utility company. 

Gov. JB Pritzker and other top Democrats were quick to respond to the charges in 2022.

"Anybody who is guilty of corrupt acts in this state should be held to the fullest extent of the law accountable for their actions," Pritzker said.

Jurors found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts of corruption in February. However, a federal judge said Friday that Madigan should receive an enhanced sentence because he repeatedly lied on the witness stand when he testified during trial. Madigan hoped the judge would allow him to take care of his sick wife and spend his final days with family.

Republicans said Illinois has a well earned national reputation for its culture of corruption, which will not end with the sentencing of one man.

"Justice was served - but the damage to public trust runs deep," said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). "I'm calling on Democrats to stop the stall tactics and join us in advancing commonsense, bipartisan ethics reforms. The people of Illinois deserve better than backroom deals and broken trust."

Of course, current Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) chaired the legislative investigation into Madigan. Welch was later handpicked by Madigan to become the next leader for the chamber and argued the legislative forum was the wrong place to investigate him.

"The proper forum was in a court of law led by the United States Attorney," Welch said. "That process is playing out as it should under the constitution. I think I did my job. I think I did it openly, honestly, and fairly. We're going to continue to do that."

Madigan is scheduled to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on October 13. Although, the former Speaker will ask for bond pending appeal of the sentencing.

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