Illinois quick hits: Madigan disbarred; taxpayers subsidize medical debt relief

Illinois quick hits: Madigan disbarred; taxpayers subsidize medical debt relief

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Madigan disbarred

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is no longer licensed to practice law in the Land of Lincoln.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of a motion to strike Madigan’s name from the state’s roll of licensed attorneys.

Last month, the longtime speaker and former Democratic Party of Illinois chairman began serving a 7.5 year prison term for public corruption.

Taxpayers subsidize medical debt relief

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program has erased nearly $430 million in medical debt during its first year.

The fiscal year 2026 state budget includes a $15 million reappropriation to acquire and forgive outstanding medical debt for those who qualify.

To be eligible, individuals must be Illinois residents with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, or their medical debt must equal 5% or more of their annual household income.

Texas man convicted for crypto scam

A federal jury in Chicago has convicted a Houston, Texas man of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scheme that bilked nearly 1,000 investors out of at least $14 million.

Robert Dunlap, 54, was convicted of two counts of mail fraud and faces a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 17, 2026.

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