Ex-Illinois Speaker Madigan Appeals Federal Corruption Conviction

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has filed a formal notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit challenging his February conviction on multiple federal corruption charges, including bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud. Madigan was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison and ordered to pay a $2.5 million fine, with a scheduled surrender date in October, though he has requested to remain free during the appeals process. The charges stem from schemes involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison and efforts to secure a state board position for a former Chicago alderman, with evidence showing Madigan orchestrated subcontractor jobs for political allies who did little work while being paid by ComEd. At sentencing, the judge described Madigan as the "central command post" of the bribery schemes and criticized his testimony as repeatedly perjurious. Madigan's appeal motion previews various legal arguments to contest the conviction and sentence, seeking to delay incarceration until the appellate court reviews his case. His decades-long tenure as speaker and party chair allowed him to wield significant influence over Illinois politics, which prosecutors say he exploited for corrupt gain.