Once a political giant, Madigan now a convicted felon and likely prison inmate — but not a racketeer

Michael J. Madigan spent decades building a political empire rivaled in Illinois history only by his most storied peers, rising to become the longtime speaker of the state’s House of Representatives, chair of its Democratic Party and head of a powerhouse tax appeal firm.

But in a landmark verdict that could transform the 82-year-old politician into a federal inmate in the twilight of his life, a jury found Madigan guilty Wednesday of a nearly decadelong bribery conspiracy involving ComEd. It also convicted him of a plot to install former 25th Ward Ald. Danny Solis on a state board in exchange for Solis’ help securing private business for Madigan’s law firm.

However, the jury stopped far short of delivering the sweeping verdict prosecutors sought.