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* First, some background from the Tribune…
Federal prosecutors are asking for nearly five years in prison for former ComEd executive John Hooker, saying in a filing Monday he “corrupted the highest levels of state government” in a scheme to funnel more than $1.3 million in do-nothing payments to associates of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for the speaker’s help with legislation in Springfield.
Hooker’s attorney’s, meanwhile, requested just a year of probation, citing his age, lack of criminal history and zero risk of ever committing a crime again. They also submitted dozens of character letters from people of all walks of life attesting to Hooker’s history of generosity and selflessness. […]
Hooker, McClain, and co-defendants Anne Pramaggiore, former CEO of ComEd, and Jay Doherty, a consultant and former head of the City Club of Chicago, were convicted on all counts after a two-month trial. Shah later tossed some of those counts due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, but denied defense requests to delay the sentencing hearings any further.
Pramaggiore is set for sentencing July 21, while McClain’s sentencing is scheduled for three days later. Doherty is the last, with his sentencing hearing set for Aug. 5.
* Sun-Times Federal Courts Reporter Jon Seidel is in the courtoom…
#BREAKING Former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker has been sentenced to one-and-a-half years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to influence ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
(pic by @Ashlee_Rezin) https://t.co/DirD18×7jI pic.twitter.com/XJPbFXDXAx
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) July 14, 2025
BREAKING: John Hooker sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and a $500K fine.
Before the judgment, Judge Manish Shah tells Hooker: “To do business with corrupt power encourages it, and that’s what you did here.”
— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) July 14, 2025
* Capitol News Illinois’ Hannah Meisel…
BREAKING: John Hooker sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and a $500K fine.
Before the judgment, Judge Manish Shah tells Hooker: “To do business with corrupt power encourages it, and that’s what you did here.”
— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) July 14, 2025
* Earlier in the hearing, Judge Shah focused on testimony Hooker gave in 2023. Tribune…
In one of the recordings, McClain told Hooker, “We had to hire these guys because Mike Madigan came to us. It’s that simple.”
Hooker testified he didn’t believe it was true that they “had” to hire anyone.
“To me that’s just me and McClain joshing around,” he said. […]
Each time, Hooker said the subcontractor arrangement with Doherty had created “goodwill” with Madigan because they were able to “respond to a recommendation” from the speaker. He also made sure to say the subcontractors “added value to the company,” and that the arrangement was good for him because he “didn’t have to manage” them.
* The Tribune’s Jason Meisner…
posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 12:10 pm
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I had to deal with Hooker in the early 2000’s…he deserves the sentence.
Utterly corrupt.
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 12:21 pm
it’s not a long sentence, so if you are the person sentenced, ok, good, you’ll get out fast. But how utterly stupid to do something, get convicted, and you are sent to prison at all, even a short time. what an idiot.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 1:12 pm
If you had told me 30 years ago that this day would come, I wouldn’t have believed it. But then I had the same thoughts about Rostenkowski, Cellini,Blago, Ryan, Burke and Madigan. I think I need to dial down my shock levels.
Comment by levivotedforjudy Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 1:19 pm
No sympathy from me. Do the crime, you do the time.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 3:01 pm
Not enough.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 3:12 pm
This conviction on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act will probably get overturned if it makes it to SCOTUS. There was no foreign actor that was bribed, again, your ethically questionable US Attorneys Office at work here.
Comment by Annoyed Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 3:26 pm
I think McClain will get more…
Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 4:03 pm