Michael Madigan was convicted on 10 criminal charges, including bribery, conspiracy, and racketeering. After more than 60 hours of jury deliberation, he was acquitted of seven other charges, including attempted extortion. The verdict on the other charges was not dismissed. This highly publicized criminal case has become one of the most significant examples of public corruption scandals in the state of Illinois.
The case represents one of the main public corruption investigations in action in Illinois. Prosecutors accused the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of being a "guiding influence on a criminal enterprise for about 10 years, directed at strengthening the political power of Madigan and his financial benefactors, ensuring financial benefits to his political patrons and partners."
After the sentencing, the northern district prosecutor expressed his approval of Madigan’s conviction, noting that this could lead to the designation of him as a strict prison sentence, and called this a "historical event." He emphasized that the residents of Illinois have the right to honest and transparent governance, so that elected officials make decisions in the interests of the community and the common good, as well as on trust and hope for this from public servants.
