Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan reported to a federal prison in West Virginia on Monday to begin serving his seven-and-a-half-year sentence for corruption.
Capitol News Illinois reports Madigan has hired a high-profile team of appellate lawyers to overturn his conviction. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court denied his bid to remain free as the process plays out.
A jury found Madigan guilty in February after a four-month trial. The former speaker was accused of accepting bribes in the form of jobs and contracts for his political allies, including at electric utility Commonwealth Edison.
In exchange, Madigan wielded his power in Springfield for favorable legislation for ComEd.
