Ray Long

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Ray Long |Jason Meisner

Months before a federal judge sentenced former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to prison on Friday, the once-mighty state Democratic Party chairman took the witness stand in his corruption trial in an attempt to save himself. The only politician in America to serve 36 years as a House speaker guided jurors through his version of a complex personal and political life where few have gone before.

1 week ago | gmtoday.com | Jason Meisner |Ray Long

A federal jury convicted Michael Madigan on Feb. 12, 2025, of multiple federal charges including bribery conspiracy — but jurors deadlocked on other charges in the wide-ranging indictment, including the marquee racketeering conspiracy count.

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Jason Meisner |Ray Long

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan arrived Friday at the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago for his historic sentencing in a long-running corruption case that shook the state’s political world to the core. Madigan, 83, who for years was widely hailed as the most powerful politician in the state, gave a slight smile as he strode past a horde of television news cameras with his lawyers and family members without comment.

2 weeks ago | currently.att.yahoo.com | Ray Long |Jason Meisner

During his 50 years serving in the Illinois House, Speaker Michael Madigan showed he knew how to round up support, both in Springfield to pass legislation about tough issues and in the crucial precincts of tight legislative races to keep his Democratic majority. Now, with his sentencing on his corruption conviction imminent, Madigan is placing fervent hope on the backing of a wide range of supporters, outlined in more than 200 letters to the federal judge who will decide Madigan’s fate.

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Ray Long |Jason Meisner

Over his five decades in elected office, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan knew how to round up support, both in Springfield to pass legislation about tough issues and in the crucial precincts of tight legislative races to keep his Democratic majority. Now, with his sentencing on his corruption conviction imminent, Madigan is placing fervent hope on the backing of a wide range of supporters, outlined in more than 200 letters to the federal judge who will decide Madigan’s fate.