Thank you, Mike Madigan

By Dan Proft

June 11th, 2025

If wanting to help people too much is a crime, then send Mike Madigan to prison and throw away the key. The only real offense here would be for the longest serving state house speaker in American history to lose his freedom for a single day.

“Punishing him for trying to help people—something we are all taught to do—is the true injustice,” declared Lisa Madigan, the similarly self-sacrificing daughter of Mike who overcame her fivehead to be longest serving Attorney General in Illinois history.

“Mr. Integrity.” That is how former Rep. Bill Lipiniski referenced Madigan in his entreaty to federal Judge John Blakey for leniency.

Lipinski would know, we are conditioned to assume, as he spent 22 years producing more pork for Chicago than Tyson Foods at the same time Madigan was finding gainful employment in the warm bosom of government for the Southwest Side’s bungalow set.

Former First Lady Jayne Thompson said her late husband Jim, the longest serving governor in Illinois history and allegedly a Republican, considered Madigan a trusted confidant whose word was his bond whether the two were “collaborating or fiercely opposed.”

Thompson inveighed on Judge Blakey to “consider his (Madigan’s) many years of dedicated public service to the people of our state and his reputation for honesty and disciplined hard work over more than half a century.”

Former governor and J.B. Pritzker sparring partner Jim Edgar, also allegedly a Republican, put his squeaky-clean, never-charged reputation on the line to affirm Madigan “always kept his word” and while “Mike made mistakes…he did far more good in making the state a better place to live.”

Some of the more jaded, hard-hearted types might make the point that a person can be honest about their bad intentions and work diligently in furtherance of nefarious ends.

But does such cynicism really have a place here? I hasten to remind you the subject in question has been knighted “Mr. Integrity” by men and women of honor, including several non-relatives and many of our longest-serving betters.

If that doesn’t sufficiently lodge open your empathy, consider Jerry Reinsdorf crediting Madigan for the 2005 White Sox saying Madigan made “possible the first World Series championship in 88 years,” without asking “for any consideration in exchange.”

A sweetheart deal for a taxpayer-funded stadium that made Reinsdorf a billionaire certainly warms my cockles. It’s a Hallmark movie that writes itself.

The 2005 White Sox title courtesy of Madigan notwithstanding, there is some understandable confusion.

Some residents may be perplexed by the praise for Madigan from poohbahs of a political party that, absent any interest in developing a positive brand identity then or now, spent 30 years bombarding mailboxes and populating airwaves with the message that Mike Madigan was what was wrong with Illinois, they weren’t him, and if he goes and they stay things will get better.

Well, truth be told, for most in the Illinois Republican Party’s leadership ranks during Madigan’s tenure it was a simulation not a real fight. It was to keep up the appearance of two parties long after they decided one big party was the better way to go so long as they were always on the invite list.

In other words, they didn’t mean the nasty things they said and they’re very sorry about what has befallen their colleague.

Therefore, when you read that federal prosecutors want Mike Madigan to serve 12.5 years in prison for his bribery and conspiracy convictions plus his “obstructive conduct and lying on the witness stand,” remember that those who know him best are completely unfamiliar with that Mike Madigan.

It is why all forms of life found in the Illinois political ecosystem committed to justice and fair play, we are conditioned to assume, are rallying around the former house speaker.

In addition to our federal and state heroes are our government union heroes like former SEIU President Tom Balanoff and our billionaire philanthropist heroes like Marxist talk radio station owner Fred Eychaner and our business elite heroes like hedge-fund impresario and Rahm Emanuel megadonor Michael Sacks and our local law-and-order heroes like former Cook County State’s Attorney Dick Devine, and our religious heroes like former Loyola University Chicago President Michael Garanzini.

If only a jury of Madigan’s peers had heard from these paragons of moral virtue before they unanimously sided with this characterization of Madigan’s conduct, “Time after time, Madigan exploited his immense power for his own personal benefit by trading his public office for private gain for himself and his associates, all the while carefully and deliberately concealing his conduct from detection.”

If only.

Nevertheless, this is not to say we should lose faith in our government and government-adjacent noblemen.

As a dutiful pleb, let me offer some additional Combinesplaining on their behalf.

First, Madigan’s character witnesses can only make judgments based on their personal experiences.

This happens quite a bit. Many people said they same thing when former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was convicted on corruption charges last year. Many people have been saying the same thing recently about former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. Those three groups of people would prefer if you didn’t Venn diagram them.

As one caller to my radio show put it, the John Wayne Gacy that was a serial killer wasn’t the John Wayne Gacy I knew. I only knew him as a Norwood Park Township Democrat Party precinct captain so I can only comment on my direct dealings.

Second, Madigan’s backers are so pure of heart that they are unable to fathom him committing the crimes for which he was convicted. To that end, back in 2000, before former Governor George Ryan was arrested and convicted in the licenses for bribes scandal, much to the chagrin of many of these same civic titans on Madigan’s roster, former Governor (and Secretary of State) Jim Edgar said, “I just can’t imagine George Ryan ever doing anything knowingly that’s illegal.”

Jim Edgar is emblematic of this lineup of Sir Galahads who have come forward seeking mercy for Madigan. They know not what evil lurks in the hearts of men.

Lastly, as they opined in their jeremiads to the judge, whatever Madigan’s sins—which, again, they know nothing about—his Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy far overshadow them as he is responsible for the great strides in quality of life Illinois has made in the past 50 years.

Please don’t look at the data. In fact, please don’t even pick your head up and look around.

Accept their premises. Affirm their rationalizations. Thank Mike Madigan for his selfless, praiseworthy service. Then get down on all fours before Madigan’s benefactors like Kevin Bacon in “Animal House” and recite the line with each paddle whack, Combine pledge, “Thank you, sir, may I have another.”

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Dan Proft is the co-host of the radio program, “Chicago’s Morning Answer” on AM 560 weekdays 5-9am.

Comments 56

  1. Mike Madigan, along with all those who enabled him, destroyed Illinois for their own personal gain, be it for power or money, or both. However, I see no point in putting him in prison. What would it accomplish? Madigan is old and out of power – but not influence. He is still directing the current gang of thieves. The ones that should be tried and imprisoned are those in power right now, from Governor Money Bags on down to the local dog catcher. The example needs to set by locking up the whole current gang of thieves for a long time and taking away their ill-gotten gains and banning them and their families from public service for life. Madigan is past history. He has done his damage. Jailing him accomplishes nothing. Get and lock up the current gang of thieves before they do more damage.

    1. Accomplishes nothing? He is a crook, regardless of his age. Here’s hoping he spends the rest of his miserable life in prison just like Sheldon Silver (NYC), who died in Rikers prison. It sends a message.

      1. Do you seriously believe that imprisoning Madigan at this stage of the game would deter any of the current gang of crooks? The time to get Madigan was twenty years ago – everyone knew what was going on and did nothing about it until Madigan was not a threat to them. I agree that Madigan should pay, but the horse is long out of the barn. I don’t believe that prison time is the best solution, and there is no way that anyone can undo the damage he has done. The current bunch running things has not seemed to get the message and will not because they believe that they will never get caught. Governor Money Bags skated on the trying to buy a Senate seat game -what message did that send?

        1. You are correct that in Chicago it seems no one understands the outcome when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar, but if caught you must go to jail no matter what age. We can agree to disagree.

    2. They say one person can’t make a difference but Mike Madigan proves. them wrong. He single handily did so much damage to Illinois it’s questionable if it the state will survive with declaring bankruptcy.

      So evade justice until you’re in your Eighties and then your home free. Is that the message you’re sending?

    3. I’ll disagree to the point. It sets an example, not that anyone would pay attention. Max sentence…not at his age, there I agree with you – it serves no purpose. Put him away for 30-60-90-180 days. Let him sit behind bars and think about it. Let others see him pay, maybe they’d think twice. And yes, there are so many more grifters out ther. Look no farther than the Governor mansion or the Cook County board President.

  3. I sent a letter on Mike Madigan’s behalf explaining the Speaker’s help in getting an operational grant for Leo High School and do not regret doing so. Mike Madigan reached out ( unsolicited btw) to Leo President Bob Foster and I did the scut work. Madigan was no Leo guy, nor did he ask for, get any public recognition.

    That was a selfless and nonpolitical act.

    I got a Catholic pension for my 23 years of nefarious doings on 79th Street. Absolutus ero?

  4. “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them made.” We had a labor leader in our local union named Mike Boyle years ago. He was later in life given the moniker “Umbrella Mike” for his alleged propensity of leaving his umbrella at the end of the bar for those anxious to make a donation. ” Oh” the g00 goos would wail in self-righteous indignation with their hair on fire, however this same man organized electrical workers in the Midwest and locally in Chicago for better and fair wages that benefited multitudes of workers. Before Lightfoot raised the bridges over the Chicago River Mike raised them to settle a strike for better wages. It is a balance of benefits between helping others and “wetting one’s beak” a wee bit. Sausage making is not for one week of the heart.

    1. But you still needed a “Chinaman” to clout for you. Bresnahan, Pierce, & Fitzgerald helped destroy the Local & forced those who lived according to the By-Laws on the road for work. Glad I got out when I did.

  5. Rod Bkagojevich, George Ryan, Dan Walker, Otto Kerner, Ed Burke, James Laski, Ed Vrdolyak, Arendt Troutman, Isaac Carothers, William Beavers, Sandi Jackson, Willie Cochran, Ricardo Munoz, Patrick Daley Thompson.

    Not the list of the City of Chicago Christmas choir. We have dishonesty and corruption as major and minors on all their resumes. Now little Mikey Madigan joins the choir.

    2. Also, not on the list, Ed Kelly of the 47th ward and Chiago Park District, unlike the others he retired early. Happy 100-year-old birthday Ed, you won!

  6. Weigh the help he gave vs the damage and the theft he committed then make the decision on the Admiral Byng principle. Will hanging him “pour encourager les autres…” have any effect?

  8. Enjoyed Dan’s deadpan quotes of an Illinois-version Republican offering Illinois-style admiration that Madigan “…always kept his word.” Recalling another Illinois word-keeper, I’d bet that some fair-minded Republican extended the same admiration of “Bleeping Golden” Blagojevich.

    And Proft notes the risible praise that Madigan “…did far more good in making the state a better place to live.” Better than — what place, the New Jersey State House, on-fire Los Angeles?

  10. OMG!
    Former Governor Bruce Rauner didn’t leave a ringing endorsement for the Leprachaun! I’m shocked, Shocked said no one with a brain ever.

    1. Rahner was allegedly honest and allegedly not corrupt, but he was 100 % frickin useless. All the self-righteous responders that are bemoaning the state of affairs in Illinois, but when it hits home like when their “lil” darling young daughter gets a DUI, boy they look for a Mike or Ed to ease the pain.

  12. And Dixon’s Rita Crundwell no doubt would have had great praise from her blooded show horses. Like Madigan’s admirers, bought with taxpayer money.

    1. Yeah, while Nancy Pelosi is worth more than 200 millions and even a freshman congressman had bagged several millions from the kick-back from the $94 B deal with the Ukrainean Comidian!

  14. Like another famous mafia head of the family in the movies, when they let him off perhaps he will drop dead in his tomato garden
    Also I am disappointed with Mr. Hickey

  15. Thank you, Dan, for putting the Madigan conviction in context. The French have a saying, which more than applies to Illinois politics: Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose.

  16. Nice piece here Dan. When people say he made Illinois a better place to live, the question I have is better for who?

    Prison alone will not deter many of the power and money hungry crooks of ours in political office. Prison, loss of all assets, and exile upon release may help.

    1. Bring back the chair, hanging and firing squad. And do it publicly like in oh say……..Sox Park. Reinhorn can make $$$$ on the concessions. We can place bets on how long it will take for him to croak.

  18. Age never stopped the feds from incarcerating the many geriatric mafia dons and kingpins that they finally convicted after trying for 40 and 50 years to get the goods on. Vegas was skimmed for decades while the wheels of justice slowly turned. Like their organized crime counterparts, politicians like Madigan, Burke, Ryan and their ilk only stopped grifting when they were caught.

  19. Those defending him seem to have been beneficiaries of his power and graft. What about the rest of us? Chumbalones. I have no problem with him dying in prison

  20. Dan, I can’t stop laughing…”Lisa Madigan, the similarly self-sacrificing daughter of Mike who overcame her fivehead to be the longest serving Attorney General in Illinois history.” 😂

    Re the underlying theme of your column, how ironic of Edgar. In 1990 while on a four year sabbatical from Hellinois and living a wonderful existence in my late 20s in AZ, I recall how Neil Hartigan came within about 80,000 votes of defeating Helmut hair. All of the stops were pulled out by the Lepruchan from 63rd and Pulaski to defeat him. Oh, well, the Combine continues!

  21. While there seems little to be gained by imprisoning this convicted criminal, he must not suffer only a token wrist slap as the denizens of the Combine plead. Rather, I’d like to his sentence be a confiscation of his wealth and property, used to pay a mere fraction of what his reign has cost Illinois citizens. In addition, he should be made to work, in whatever capacity the court deems appropriate with all proceeds directed toward that debt, until he drops dead.

    The Combine is alive and well in this benighted state of Illinois, but this might send a better signal to those running things that they should repent and at least put a tiny nick into our colossal state debt.

  22. Pretty sure if you check the DNA of any/most native south sider you’ll find DEMOCRAT in it. And they’re all “connected”, clouted whatever you want to call it. Good article.

  23. Illinois political corruption is so engrained that poor old George Ryan, to this day, has no idea why he had to go to jail. It’s the same between the Dems and the R’s………..the Republicans get in on the Dems’ deal so they go along, SLOTS of fun, right?

  24. Thank you Dan for the delightful sarcasm on the Illinois Combine coming to his “defense” on his sentencing! I left Madiganistan for freedom in 2016 and am glad to live in a better state (Florida). I have an alternate approach to how Madigan (and any future corrupt politicians) should pay back Illinois society. Prison beyond age 70 is not a deterrent, but confinement to the house you live in with an ankle bracelet to insure you stay put would be less cruel but just as humiliating. They should put 99% of his financial assets in escrow (controlled by Fed’s BTW) and use it to help pay down the debt of Illinois upon his death, but let him keep the house. No inheritance to the family of millions upon millions of $ gained by corrupt power plays. That might cause some corrupt politicians to think twice. Below age 70, put them in jail, but still take over their assets for the people they steal from. He will face true judgment upon death, when the ultimate Judge will hold him accountable for how he used his position for self-gain! He will give an account for how he chose to live his “Dash”, as we all will! (See link on what the Dash is: https://100.best-poems.net/dash.html ).

  25. 11 days into the month and Dan Proft serves up this month’s Moutsa nomination. The award should go to every political animal who begged for clemency for one of their own – who got caught.

    Nah!

  26. Great post Don. I always loved sarcasm. Mikey has to go away if only for one to two years. good analogy by a prior Reader, about old mobsters, going to jail. Question? Is Illinois a Better place because of Madigan’s policies and decisions? Just asking?
    Kasso, no comment about Dan’s Post? So you still Think the velvet hammer shouldn’t go to the slammer?

  27. Madigan spent decades turning Killinois into a totalitarian one-party state. His party controls ALL the major executive branch offices, the courts (from county to supreme), both houses of the legislature (with veto-proof super-majorities), every office in Crook County (as well as all but one seat on the county board), the entire city of Chiraq (including all 50 aldermen), and pretty much every major city in the state.

    I’m just sorry 12 years is all he can get. The rest of us are stuck in this dystopian prison he created for the rest of our lives.

  28. I had personal experience with Mike Madigan in Springfield and his daughter Lisa when she was attorney general in her Chicago office.

    Myself, and other law enforcement officers, met with both in an attempt to have legislation allowing undercover narcotics officers be wired up during narcotics transactions. The moment of the actual narcotics transaction is the most dangerous to the personal safety of the officers. Both met with us but never committed to helping get this legislation passed.

    This piece of legislation was one of the top agenda items for many law enforcement organizations for more than a decade. Note: that this legislation was to specifically allow only undercover narcotics officers only during an narcotics transaction. The legislation was finally passed after I retired.

    Isn’t it ironic, that Mr. Madigan was finally nailed on a Federal wiretap, after deliberate refusing to help secure the safety of Illinois narcotics officers.

  29. “First, Madigan’s character witnesses can only make judgments based on their personal experiences.”

    Thanks Dan, the above should have cut the through the bullshit. That said, I was surprised to see reader feedback that expressed the Feds charges and sentencing should take into consideration Mr. Madigan”s age and contributions.

    Pat and the Speaker did a great thing for a great Leo High School but does that meet the standard Dan P laid out? I don’t think so.

    Interesting take on the labor leader and sausage making? How about the alleged four pension retired labor leader who was hired as a bag man for Madigan?

    Sorry, but Michael Madigan deserves little or no sympathy.

  30. For decades the Cook County & Illinois state major leaguers…Madigan, Burke, Daley’s Ryan, Cellini, Rock, Pate Phillips,…the list goes on…called all the shots while hey grifted and got rich. When some gadfly reformer came along and pretended to challenge them for power they were shipped off to Washington to be congressmen…a place where they couldn’t cause too much harm. Chuy Garcia, Mike Quigley, are examples…Adlai Stevenson III and Paul Simon became senators…”WE don’t want nobody nobody sent”. The deck has been stacked for generations.

  31. Sammy Davis sang it in theme from Baretta. “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time
    Mm-mm-mm-mm (Don’t do it)” Too bad Mr. Madigan.

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