Illinois’ Madigan Must Report to Prison Pending Appeal

Michael Madigan (D), whose formidable tenure as Speaker of the Illinois House ended amid a federal corruption investigation, must report to prison while he appeals his convictions, a Chicago federal judge ruled Friday.

In a lengthy order, Judge John Robert Blakey wrote that, under the law, Madigan had to point out “substantial” legal questions that, if decided his way, would result in reversal of conviction on each one of the 10 counts of conviction.

Madigan didn’t meet that standard on any of them, but in particular his arguments challenging the wire-fraud convictions were “routine” and “meritless,” Blakey wrote.

Madigan “cannot show that any appeal is likely to result in a reversal or grant of a new trial on those counts, and thus he must still serve his prison sentence because the total sentence imposed in this case would remain the same,” Blakey said.

Madigan’s extraordinary reign over the state House and the Illinois Democratic Party came to a close as an investigation into him and his closest allies heated up. He and a longtime confidant, Michael McClain, stood trial together on an indictment alleging an array of schemes to reinforce Madigan’s power and line his pockets.

After a four-month trial, jurors returned a split verdict, acquitting on some counts, deadlocking on others—including all the charges McClain faced—and convicting Madigan on 10 counts including conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery.

He was sentenced in June to seven and a half years in prison. Blakey ordered him to report to custody in October.

His attorneys launched parallel efforts to kick off his appeal and ensure he remained out of custody while the matter pends. Alongside his trial counsel, Madigan has hired prolific US Supreme Court litigator Lisa Blatt to handle his matters before the appellate court.

Meanwhile, his attorneys previewed some of their appellate arguments in their motions to keep him out of custody. Jurors were improperly instructed on the definition of “corruptly,” they argued, and there was insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction.

Those arguments lack merit, prosecutors responded, and the defense didn’t show it is more likely than not that the appeals court would overturn the convictions.

Madigan is represented by Katten Muchin Rosenman and Breen & Pugh.

The case is United States v. Madigan, N.D. Ill., No. 1:22-cr-00115, motion denied 8/8/25.