CHICAGO (WGN) — Tomorrow marks the day when former Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will begin serving his seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
The veteran political figure was found guilty in February on 10 out of 23 charges in a high-profile corruption trial that extended over four months. The proceedings included the testimonies of 60 witnesses and involved extensive documents, photographs, and recorded conversations.
Madigan was sentenced to 90 months in prison, along with a $2.5 million fine, the statutory maximum. He has until 2 p.m. Monday to turn himself in.
Dick Simpson, a University of Illinois Chicago political science professor who has extensively researched Chicago politics, provided expert testimony during the trial.
“With such overwhelming evidence, the jury’s verdicts on the 10 counts against him were definitive. There was no room for ambiguity, and the judge is now advancing with the sentencing,” Simpson commented.
The 10 federal convictions against Madigan primarily related to two pivotal instances: his attempt to secure a state board position for former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis, and a bribery plot involving the major utility company ComEd.
Earlier this month, a federal appeals court denied Madigan’s request to stay out of prison while his legal team appeals his convictions.
“The judge aims to clearly indicate that corruption is intolerable,” Simpson stated. “Imprisonment is arduous and serves as a grave punishment.”
According to Simpson, about 2,500 Illinois public officials have been convicted in federal court and sent to prison since 1976. He hopes this major case will inspire reform, similar to the response that followed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s conviction.
As Madigan spends his final hours of freedom, Simpson believes the 83-year-old’s time behind bars could ultimately be shortened.
“With his age, his health problems, and his wife’s health problems, he may well get out of prison earlier, but he will still have to serve jail time,” Simpson said.
