Illinois Supreme Court disbars former House Speaker Michael Madigan after federal corruption conviction.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been disbarred by the Illinois Supreme Court, nine months after a federal jury convicted him on 10 corruption counts, including bribery and wire fraud. Madigan, a lawyer since 1967, filed a voluntary motion to withdraw from the state bar in August 2024 before beginning a 7½-year prison sentence in West Virginia. The disbarment followed a federal investigation that used recordings of conversations with cooperating former Ald. Danny Solis, leading to convictions on key charges despite acquittals on others. The court’s disciplinary commission cited his criminal conduct as undermining his honesty and fitness as a lawyer. Two associates, Anne Pramaggiore and Mike McClain, had their licenses suspended in the same case. Madigan’s legal team has filed a 73-page appeal challenging the prosecution’s approach, arguing routine political activity was wrongly criminalized. He remains incarcerated while the appeal proceeds.