SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The longest-serving statehouse speaker in U.S. history reported to a West Virginia prison Monday. Michael Madigan is set to serve seven and a half years behind bars for public corruption.
The man who led the Illinois House and state Democratic party for nearly half a century is starting his next chapter as a federal prisoner. Madigan will serve 90 months behind bars, but the Velvet Hammer will also have to go through three years of probation and pay a $2.5 million fine.
"People don't trust government, and why is that? You're looking at it," said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). "I was just at the grocery store yesterday, and people were talking about governors going to prison. Alderman Burke was here in Thompson, Illinois, in my district. We have got to get back to a place where people can trust government rather than grow government. We can't do it on the path that we're on."
Prosecutors said Madigan conspired to solicit and demand jobs, contracts and other bribes from Commonwealth Edison. In exchange, lawmakers would pass bills favorable to 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. Yet, a federal judge said Madigan deserved an enhanced sentence because he repeatedly lied on the witness stand during trial.
"Today's verdict represents justice for the people of Illinois and reaffirms our commitment to hold public officials accountable when they engage in corruption," said Ramsey Covington, the director of assurance and advisory for the IRS Criminal Division.Â
The former speaker requested an appeal of his case after sentencing, but the appellate court may not hold oral arguments until next year.
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