Court To Reconvene For Convicted Ex-Illinois House Speaker Sentencing

Apre-sentencing hearing is scheduled Monday for convicted ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

U.S. District Court Judge John Robert Blakey is expected to consider post-trial motions when he meets with prosecutors and defense attorneys Monday afternoon at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago.

Blakey scheduled a second hearing Tuesday to consider valuation estimates related Madigan’s conviction on ComEd-related charges. The judge asked attorneys to meet and confer over whether evidence outside of the current record might be required.

Madigan, 83, was convicted Feb. 12 on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and use of a facility to promote unlawful activity.

The former speaker’s sentencing is scheduled for Friday, June 13.

U.S. government attorneys requested that Madigan serve 12.5 years in prison and pay a fine of $1.5 million. Madigan’s defense attorneys have asked that the former speaker be sentenced to a year of home confinement along with probation and community service.

Connie Mixon, professor of political science and director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, said Madigan’s age is a factor, just as it was for ex-Chicago Alderman Ed Burke.

“I think the judge faces the same dilemma as the judge faced in the Ed Burke trial. Madigan’s going to be what, 83 years old? Even a few years, at that age, is a big deal,” Mixon told The Center Square.

Burke was sentenced to two years in prison and given a $2 million fine in 2024 after being convicted of corruption.