In a poignant video filed with Chicago’s federal court Friday ahead of her husband’s sentencing, the wife of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan worried what life would be without him by her side, saying, “I really don’t exist without him.”
Shirley Madigan talked about dating her husband, how he came to be a father to former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and how she came to struggle with various health issues. Without Michael Madigan, she said, “I would probably have to find care.”
“He loves me,” Shirley Madigan said of the once-powerful Southwest Side Democrat. “Not only does he love me, but I’m a part of him. … There’s some days I keep him going.”
“He keeps me going sometimes too,” she explained. “But I think that the impact that I’ve had on him has been much, much larger.”
Shirley Madigan appeared in the video sitting on a couch. A blue facemask hung around her neck, and she wore purple gloves. Family photos could be seen in the 8-minute video. And at one point, Michael Madigan could be seen helping his wife from her seat.
“It was very difficult for me not to be at the trial,” Shirley Madigan said. “Because he knows that I want to be there. And he wants me there. You know? Even if it’s just to look at.”
A federal jury found Michael Madigan, 83, guilty four months ago of 10 criminal counts, including bribery conspiracy and wire fraud. He is due to be sentenced June 13 by U.S. District Judge John Blakey.
The judge has also set hearings for Monday and Tuesday to deal with preliminary issues.
Michael Madigan took the witness stand during his trial and, in doing so, revealed rare details about his personal life. Now, Shirley Madigan’s video statement about their half-century of marriage has revealed even more.
Shirley Madigan missed most of her husband’s trial, and in the video she discussed suffering from COVID-19, pneumonia and an irregular heartbeat.
The video began with Shirley Madigan comparing her marriage to the tale of “The Velveteen Rabbit,” in which the question is asked “how do you know when you’re real?”
“Your fur all wears off, and you don’t look very good,” she said. “But you know you are loved. And that’s how [Michael Madigan] has been with me and with the family.”
Federal prosecutors have asked Blakey to give Michael Madigan 12 ½ years in prison. Madigan’s lawyers are asking for probation, though. And they’ll likely point to Shirley Madigan’s health issues while asking for a reduced sentence.
Among other things, Shirley Madigan discussed the daughter she had before she married Michael Madigan — Lisa Madigan. Shirley Madigan explained how she used to put the now-former attorney general to bed with assurances that the child would see Michael Madigan when he returned from Springfield.
Nevertheless, Shirley Madigan said she’d later find Lisa Madigan sleeping with a pillow and blanket near the door, so she’d “see him as soon as he came in.”
Shirley Madigan said it was “strange” when people pointed out that Lisa Madigan was not the speaker’s biological daughter, as Michael Madigan was “the only father that she ever really knew.”
“And he cared deeply about her,” Shirley Madigan said. “He cared very deeply about her. And she talked to him and asked if she could be adopted.”
Shirley Madigan recalled how Lisa Madigan came into their room very early on the morning of her birthday and declared “let’s go get the papers! Let’s go get the papers!”
“And he adopted her,” Shirley Madigan said. “And he never treated her any differently.”