Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan found guilty on corruption charges

Illinois politics was shaken up this week as a former top Democratic official was found guilty in a courtroom for corruption charges.

According to Breitbart, Mike Madigan, described as a "Democrat powerbroker" and the former Illinois House Speaker, was found guilty on 10 counts in a federal corruption trial that unfolded this week. 

A jury of his peers found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts that included "bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud," according to the outlet.

Court documents revealed that the jury was unable to convict Madigan on over a dozen counts, though it's not clear why they had trouble doing so.

What's going on?

It was reported that Madigan was acquitted on seven of the charges he faced, and the jury was unable to convict him on six more, though 10 counts of being found guilty were enough to land him in serious trouble.

The jury reportedly came to its decision after 11 days of deliberation, according to local media outlets.

We remember all the times IL Democrats swept Madigan's corruption under the rug for their own benefit. Let’s take a look at some of the receipts from Madigan’s reign as IL kingmaker & what JB Pritzker REALLY thinks about his felonious bedfellow 🔽 https://t.co/17pem7pGsF pic.twitter.com/vQXhQ21Evm

— IL Republican Party (@ILGOP) February 13, 2025

Madigan's confidant, Michael McClain, escaped convictions, though he had previously been convicted of bribery years ago.

Breitbart noted:

While reaching decisions on Madigan, the jury was unable to convict Madigan’s longtime confidant, Michael McClain, on any of the charges in the case. Despite the outcome this week, McClain has not escaped consequences. He was convicted of bribery last year alongside three others.

Video and audio evidence played for the jury, which was captured by an FBI informant who was a former Chicago alderman, helped them convict Madigan on the 11 counts.

Background

Madigan was a major Democratic political player in the deep blue state of Illinois, resting atop his perch as House Speaker for years, unchallenged.

Breitbart noted:

Madigan represented the southwest side of Chicago for half a century and held a grip on power since the 1990s, using that influence to stymie  governors of both parties, and he essentially dictated policies for the entire state.

Madigan was accused of backing and passing laws that benefited his private law practice throughout his time in office.

It'll be interesting to see what his fate is during his upcoming sentencing hearing.