Madigan Sentenced to 7.5 Years for Corruption

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to 7.5 years in federal prison and fined $2.5 million after being convicted on 10 counts, including bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud. The sentence, delivered by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey, was lower than the 12.5 years sought by prosecutors but reflected the judge's condemnation of Madigan's repeated lies and lack of remorse. Madigan's convictions stemmed from a decade-long scheme to benefit himself and his associates, notably through corrupt dealings with utility giant ComEd. The jury acquitted Madigan on other charges, including racketeering and some bribery counts. The case underscored Illinois' ongoing problems with political corruption and added Madigan to the list of high-profile officials convicted in federal probes. Judge Blakey emphasized the need for deterrence against future abuses of political power in his sentencing.