Michael Madigan Convicted in Federal Corruption Case But Jurors Split on Other Counts

CHICAGO — Michael Madigan, the former Illinois House Speaker, was convicted on 10 counts of corruption in federal court, while jurors could not reach a verdict on 12 other counts against him and acquitted him on seven. The split verdict follows an extensive corruption trial that lasted more than three months, culminating in a mistrial for the deadlocked charges.

Madigan, 82, faced a 23-count indictment that included charges of racketeering conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. Prosecutors accused him of collaborating with utility companies ComEd and AT&T to provide no-show jobs to his political allies in exchange for legislative support.

During the trial, jurors convicted Madigan on various charges, including one count of conspiracy to commit bribery related to ComEd, two counts of bribery, and three counts of wire fraud linked to securing a state board seat for former Alderman Danny Solis. He was acquitted on several counts, including attempts to extort fees for legal work.

The verdict came after jurors deliberated for 11 days, weighing evidence from dozens of witnesses and hundreds of pieces of evidence, including secretly recorded conversations involving Madigan. Notably, Solis, who testified against Madigan in hopes of avoiding prison time, claimed Madigan pressured developers to hire his law firm.

U.S. District Judge John Blakey declared a mistrial on the counts where jurors were deadlocked, leaving the possibility open for prosecutors to pursue further trials on those charges, but no immediate decision was announced.

Madigan did not address the media as he exited the courthouse. His long-time confidant and co-defendant, Michael McClain, was not convicted as jurors were also deadlocked on all six charges against him.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz told the jury, “Ladies and gentlemen, legislation should not be bought,” emphasizing the nature of the corruption scheme. Defense attorneys sought to discredit the prosecution’s case, suggesting there was no explicit quid pro quo as required for bribery cases.

Political leaders reacted to the verdict, with Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) calling it a “stark reminder that corruption” must be addressed to restore public trust. Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi echoed concerns about decades of corruption associated with Madigan, urging accountability in the wake of the trial.

Prior to resigning in 2021, Madigan had been a dominating force in Illinois politics for 36 years, and his conviction marks a significant moment in a long-standing corruption investigation in the state. His defense characterized his actions as politically motivated attempts to support his community, while prosecutors framed them as offenses driven by greed and abuse of power.

The trial culminated years of investigations into corruption in Illinois politics, which featured numerous other cases and convictions related to the activities of Madigan and his associates. The investigation continues as authorities review the broader implications of the verdict.