Overview

• U.S. District Judge John Blakey issued a 44-page opinion concluding Madigan did not raise a substantial question of law or fact required for bond pending appeal under federal standards.
• Madigan was convicted in February on 10 counts of bribery conspiracy, wire fraud and related charges tied to $1.3 million in ComEd payments and a scheme involving former Ald. Danny Solis.
• He was sentenced in June to 7½ years and must now report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons by October 13 as ordered.
• Madigan’s legal team will seek a stay of his sentence from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, with an opening brief due October 2.
• Legal experts note that bond pending appeal is exceptionally rare in the Seventh Circuit, underscoring the uphill challenge of Madigan’s effort.