Former ComEd Executives Released After Appeals Court Reversal

Anne Pramaggiore and Michael McClain walk free following a surprise ruling that overturned their convictions.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:43pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, discarded document or file folder, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the uncertainty surrounding the ComEd corruption case.The reversal of the ComEd Four convictions exposes the fragility of high-profile corruption cases and the challenges facing federal prosecutors.Chicago Today

Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and longtime lobbyist Michael McClain were released from federal prison on Wednesday, a day after an appeals court reversed their convictions in the high-profile 'ComEd Four' corruption case. The stunning decision came just three years after the two were sentenced to two years behind bars for their roles in an alleged conspiracy to influence former House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Why it matters

The reversal of the ComEd Four convictions marks a significant development in one of the biggest political corruption scandals in Illinois history. The case had alleged a wide-ranging scheme to funnel payments to do-nothing subcontractors in order to curry favor with the powerful Madigan, who was convicted separately. The appeals court's decision raises questions about the strength of the government's case and the future of the prosecutions.

The details

Pramaggiore, 67, was released from a federal prison camp in Florida, while McClain was freed from a medical facility in Kentucky. Both will now check in with federal pretrial services in Chicago and remain free on bond as the case proceeds. The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has not yet issued a formal opinion outlining its reasoning for reversing the convictions, but the decision came after the judges raised concerns during oral arguments about the legal standards used to secure the original guilty verdicts.

  • On April 14, 2026, the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed the convictions of Pramaggiore and McClain.
  • On April 15, 2026, Pramaggiore and McClain were released from federal prison.

The players

Anne Pramaggiore

The former CEO of ComEd, a major electric utility in Illinois. Pramaggiore was convicted in 2023 as part of the 'ComEd Four' corruption case but has now had that conviction overturned on appeal.

Michael McClain

A longtime lobbyist for ComEd and a close confidant of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. McClain was also convicted in the 'ComEd Four' case but has now had his conviction reversed on appeal.

Michael Madigan

The former longtime Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, who was convicted in a separate trial of an array of corruption schemes that included the ComEd bribery payments. Madigan's appeal is currently pending.

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What they’re saying

“Ms. Pramaggiore walked out of federal prison today and her case stepped closer to achieving justice. She is grateful for the Seventh Circuit's ruling, glad the 'forthwith' meant today, and looks forward to returning home.”

— Mark Herr, Spokesman for Anne Pramaggiore

What’s next

In the coming days, both Pramaggiore and McClain will check in with federal pretrial services in Chicago, where they will remain free on bond pending the resolution of their case. The U.S. Attorney's Office must now decide whether to retry the case, enter into a deal with the defendants, or drop the charges altogether.

The takeaway

The reversal of the ComEd Four convictions represents a significant setback for federal prosecutors and raises questions about the strength of the government's case in one of the biggest political corruption scandals in Illinois history. The future of the prosecutions remains uncertain as the legal battle continues.