The prison sentence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan began serving Monday at a federal facility in West Virginia for public corruption. Once the most powerful figure in Illinois politics, Madigan, 83, was convicted earlier this year of trading legislative favors for jobs, contracts and introductions that benefited his allies and his property tax law firm. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recently denied his request to remain free during appeal, ending a half-century political career that included 36 years as House speaker.
