Mike Madigan Indicted On Federal Corruption Charges

CHICAGO — Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been indicted on federal corruption charges.

Prosecutors say the longtime head of the Illinois Democratic Party used his official position to corruptly solicit financial rewards for himself and his associates.

Officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI and the criminal investigative division of the IRS announced the charges Wednesday at a news conference.

"We have a very stubborn public corruption problem here in Illinois. Rooting out and prosecuting public corruption has been, and will always be, a top priority of this office," U.S. Attorney John Lausch said at the conference.

Madigan, 79, a Southwest Side Democrat who was ousted as Illinois House speaker in February 2021, was the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, holding the post for 36 of the previous 38 years.

"The problem continues to be a very stubborn one. You look at what's alleged here, we have conduct that's alleged here up until 2019," Lausch said. "It's essentially a little less than a decade-long scheme that's described here, so it lasted for a long time."

The 22-count indictment charges Madigan, known as the "Velvet Hammer" for his leadership style, with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion.

Madigan's close friend and co-defendant, Mike McClain, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery and wire fraud.

The indictment alleges that Madigan directed McClain to carry out various illegal activities, including arranging for his associates to become "ghost employees" on the ComEd payroll.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Emerson Bouie said the indictment demonstrates the commitment of federal law enforcement to keep the public's confidence.

"Words like accountability, trust and integrity just can't be words on a sheet of paper, or words we say arbitrarily, but they have to be our outward sign of our inward grace in everything we do."

The charges describe a criminal enterprise designed to enrich the former legislative and party boss while enhancing his political power:

The illegal activities committed by members and associates of the Madigan Enterprise included, but were not limited to: (a) soliciting and receiving bribes and unlawful personal financial advantage from persons and parties having business with the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, or otherwise subject to the authority and powers vested in Madigan and other public officials acting on Madigan's behalf; (b) using Madigan's powers as Speaker, including his ability to affect the progress of bills in the House of Representatives, as well as his control over the resources of the Office of the Speaker, including its staff, in order to cause third parties to financially reward Madigan, his political allies, political workers, and associates; (c) using threats, intimidation, and extortion to solicit benefits from private parties; and (d) using facilities of interstate commerce to coordinate, plan, and further the goals of the enterprise.

Federal prosecutors had previously implicated Madigan — describing him as "Public Official A" in their investigation into a long-running bribery scheme involving public utility Commonwealth Edison, but he had so far escaped criminal liability.

A conviction for the most serious charges in the indictment carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The government is also seeking the forfeiture of more than $2.8 million in Madigan and McClain's "ill-gotten gains."

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who, at the time of Madigan's retirement, said Illinoisans have "much to be grateful for thanks to his dedicated public service," responded to the news of the indictment Wednesday at an unrelated news conference.

"Anybody who is guilty of corruption or corrupt acts in this state should be held, to the fullest extent of the law, accountable for their actions," Pritzker said.

One of the charges in the indictment alleges that Madigan discussed arranging for former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis to be appointed by Pritzker to a state board as part of the alleged scheme. The indictment contains no allegation against the governor or his staff, according to the U.S. attorney.

"The schemes describe involvement of a leader in state government, one of his close confidants, top management of a large public utility, consultants and others. Unfortunately, this type of criminal conduct drastically undermines the public's trust in our government," Lausch said. "Simply put, it's not a good thing."

Related:

• ComEd Bribed Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan: Prosecutors
• ComEd Customers Sue Electric Company, Madigan For $450 Million
• Former House Speaker Michael Madigan Resigns State Rep. Seat
• Will Your Illinois State Rep Vote For Speaker Mike Madigan?
• Madigan's Second Appointed Successor In A Week Sworn In After First Ousted