A federal judge Wednesday set sentencing for former House Speaker Michael Madigan on bribery and other charges for June 13.
The order by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey comes more than a month after Madigan, once the most powerful politician in the state, was convicted by a jury on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges alleging he used his public office to increase his power, line his own pockets and enrich a small circle of his most loyal associates.
Madigan, who turns 83 next month, faces a potentially wide range of potential punishments. Several of the guilty counts carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. He could also qualify for house arrest or probation, given his age.
Blakey ordered both sides to file sentencing papers by May 30. A separate forfeiture hearing to determine how much Madigan must pay as a result of his conviction is scheduled for a week before the sentencing. Prosecutors are asking that Madigan be required to pay $3.25 million.
The jury’s decision on Feb. 12 came after a four-month trial and capped one of the most significant political corruption investigations in Chicago’s sordid history. It also cemented an extraordinary personal fall for Madigan, the longest-serving state legislative leader in the nation’s history who for decades held an iron-tight grip on the House as well as the state Democratic Party.
After 11 days of deliberation, the jury’s final verdict was overall mixed, deadlocking on several counts — including the marquee racketeering conspiracy charge — and acquitting Madigan on numerous others. Jurors also deadlocked on all six counts related to Madigan’s co-defendant, Michael McClain.
Madigan was convicted on 10 of 23 counts, including one count of conspiracy related to a multipronged scheme to accept and solicit bribes from utility giant Commonwealth Edison. Jurors also convicted him on two counts of bribery and one Travel Act violation related to payments funneled to Madigan associates for do-nothing ComEd subcontracts.
Madigan was also convicted on six out of seven counts — including wire fraud and Travel Act violations — regarding a plan to get ex-Ald. Daniel Solis, a key FBI mole who testified at length in the trial, appointed to a state board.
jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
