Hannah Meisel
@hannahmeisel
State gov’t + politics reporter for @CapitolNewsIL. 🍋Voted class clown in high school, though I’d like to think I’ve reformed. [email protected]
I'm maybe the worst ~political reporter~ ever because I HATE covering elections. There's also a near-constant din of worry in my head re: the toxic state of American politics/the (small) role I play in that. How can we do better? Some thoughts I wrote for @inbatweets' newsletter:
Meisel to journos: Reconnect politics to governing dlvr.it/SHsG3t
The feds say Jay Doherty's discretion was "vitally important" to the arrangement with Mike Madigan's allies. But they also say they view him as the least culpable of the four defendants.
JUST IN: Federal prosecutors seek 15 months in prison for Jay Doherty, the last of the four ComEd defendants to face sentencing over a scheme aimed at ex-IL House Speaker Mike Madigan. Doherty's sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 5.
NEW: Standoff at Dirksen Federal Courthouse with knife-wielding man comes to an end after 9 hours Reporting w/ @cindylu_7 Tom Schuba and @RosemarySobol1 (Photo by Candace Dane Chambers): chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2025/07/…
JUST IN: the Dirksen federal courthouse in downtown Chicago is being evacuated as negotiations continue in the lobby with a man reportedly armed with a knife. People are being corralled out the back and told to go east on Monroe. chicagotribune.com/2025/07/22/dir…
Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore has been sentenced to two years in prison for her role in bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan via jobs and contracts for the Democratic power broker’s political allies. @hannahmeisel reports: loom.ly/9WsrGu4
Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore just arrived to her sentencing at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, along with her legal team. A week ago, her former colleague John Hooker received 18 months in prison, kicking off sentencings for the ComEd Four more than 2 years post-conviction.
Former ComEd exec John Hook has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan via jobs and contracts for the Democratic power broker’s political allies. @hannahmeisel reports: loom.ly/aeyUw9c
A day after lawyers for MJM filed their motion for an appeal bond, Judge Blakey has entered judgment of the 90-month sentence, which officially starts the clock ticking on any appeal. Madigan has 14 days to file a notice of appeal that will get things going at the 7th Circuit.
“The substantial questions, if resolved in Madigan’s favor, are likely to result in reversal of all convictions or a new trial” Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan asks to remain free on bond pending appeal -- which could take a while story: chicagotribune.com/2025/07/15/ex-…
Congress’ budget sent shockwaves through the renewable energy industry. Despite Illinois having significant incentives to boost it, some are concerned that electricity prices will rise faster than they already are. @drewjayadams reports. loom.ly/_Dq0Arw
Former ComEd exec John Hook has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan via jobs and contracts for the Democratic power broker’s political allies. @hannahmeisel reports: loom.ly/aeyUw9c
JUST IN: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan asks a judge to let him stay out of prison while he appeals his conviction:
60 years ago this month, LBJ signed Medicare. Few people talked about that other program tucked inside the bill, Medicaid. On this week's podcast, @UChicago prof Colleen Grogan explains how we got from there to here. soundcloud.com/user-592090129…
Federal prosecutors are asking for nearly six years in prison for ex-Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain, convicted of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan @hannahmeisel reports. loom.ly/UHLq_FI
JUST IN: Attorneys for former ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain request probation for his role in a scheme to funnel more than $1.3 million in do-nothing contracts to associates of his longtime confidant, then-House Speaker Michael Madigan
NEW: Federal prosecutors want a 70-month prison sentence for Anne Pramaggiore, the former ComEd CEO convicted for her role in a scheme to illegally sway then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Pramaggiore's sentencing hearing is set for July 21.
