Mike Madigan

For the American biomedical engineer, see Michael L. Madigan.

Mike Madigan
Madigan in 2013
Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois
In office
April 3, 1998 – February 22, 2021
Preceded byGary LaPaille
Succeeded byRobin Kelly
67th and 69th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
January 8, 1997 – January 13, 2021
Preceded byLee Daniels
Succeeded byChris Welch
In office
January 12, 1983 – January 11, 1995
Preceded byArthur Telcser
Succeeded byLee Daniels
Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
January 11, 1995 – January 8, 1997
Preceded byLee A. Daniels
Succeeded byLee A. Daniels
In office
January 14, 1981 – January 12, 1983
Preceded byGeorge Ryan
Succeeded byLee A. Daniels
Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
January 12, 1977 – January 14, 1981
Preceded byGerald W. Shea
Succeeded byArthur Telcser
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
January 13, 1971 – February 18, 2021
Preceded byFrank Savickas
Succeeded byEdward Guerra Kodatt
Constituency27th district (1971–1983)
30th district (1983–1993)
22nd district (1993–2021)
Personal details
Born
Michael Joseph Madigan

(1942-04-19) April 19, 1942 (age 82)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseShirley Murray
Children4, including Lisa (adopted)
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame (BA)
Loyola University Chicago (JD)

Michael Joseph Madigan (born April 19, 1942) is an American politician who is the former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.[1] He was the longest-serving leader of any state or federal legislative body in the history of the United States, having held the position for all but two years from 1983 to 2021.[2] He served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021. He represented the 27th District from 1971 to 1983, the 30th district from 1983 to 1993, and the 22nd district from 1993 to 2021. This made him the body's longest-serving member and the last legislator elected before the Cutback Amendment.

Chicago Magazine named Madigan as the fourth most powerful Chicagoan in 2012 and as the second in both 2013 and 2014, earning him the nickname "the Velvet Hammer—a.k.a. the Real Governor of Illinois."[3][4][5] Rich Miller, editor of Illinois political newsletter the Capitol Fax, wrote, "the pile of political corpses outside Madigan's Statehouse door of those who tried to beat him one way or another is a mile high and a mile wide."[6] He was frequently considered the state's political boss and controlled all redistricting in the state for several decades, as well as being chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois for over 20 years. Madigan's patronage network in state and local bodies was extensive.

On January 11, 2021, Madigan announced he would be suspending his effort to be elected to a nineteenth term as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and on January 13, he was replaced by fellow Democrat Chris Welch.[7][8] Madigan announced that he would resign as state representative effective at the end of February. On February 18, he announced that his resignation would take effect that same day.[9][10]

On March 2, 2022, Madigan was indicted on federal racketeering charges.[11] He is set to stand on trial on October 8, 2024.[12][13]

  1. ^ "Lisa Madigan defends dad's post". Chicago Sun-Times. September 21, 2002. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  2. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan (December 14, 2020). "Madigan's Allies Shut Down Illinois House Probe Into Embattled Speaker". WBEZ. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "100 Most Powerful Chicagoans". Chicago Magazine. March 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  4. ^ "100 Most Powerful Chicagoans". Chicago Magazine. March 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  5. ^ "Mike Madigan". Chicago Magazine.
  6. ^ Miller, Rich (December 5, 2010). "Rahm vs. Madigan: Mayor would take on House speaker". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  7. ^ Meisel, Hannah (January 13, 2021). "Chris Welch Set To Become First Black House Speaker As Madigan Fades Out". www.nprillinois.org. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "Michael Madigan suspending campaign for House speaker". WGN-TV. January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Wall, Craig (February 18, 2021). "Mike Madigan, longtime IL House speaker and representative, announces resignation after 50 years in post". ABC 7 Chicago. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  10. ^ Miller, Rich (February 18, 2021). "*** UPDATED x4 - Zahdan won't be appointed *** Madigan resigns effective today". Capitol Fax. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  11. ^ Meisner, Jason; Long, Ray (March 2, 2022). "Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, long the state's most powerful pol, indicted on federal racketeering charges". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "The toppling of Michael Madigan: How his reign as speaker ended and Emanuel 'Chris' Welch's emerged". Chicago Tribune. January 8, 2023.
  13. ^ "Former Speaker Michael Madigan's racketeering trial delayed until October". CBS News. January 3, 2024.