After former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was convicted in February 2025 on a series of federal corruption charges, a series of sentencing-phase presentations and hearings culminated in his June 2025 sentencing to serve 7.5 years in federal prison. The sentencing federal judge stated that this was an appropriate term for him to spend behind bars, one that was firmly based upon the pattern of bribery and corrupt conduct – as displayed in evidence presented to a jury in a court of law – shown by the onetime power broker and by members of his political inner circle.
Mr. Madigan was ordered to report to federal prison no later than Monday, October 13. Seeking to remain free during his criminal appeal, the longtime head of the Illinois Democratic Party and his counsel filed papers in a federal appeals court to stay enforcement of his imprisonment deadline. However, in an appellate order filed on Friday, October 3, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this plea.