Attorneys for former House Speaker Michael Madigan have formally asked that he remain free on bond pending appeal of his conviction on sweeping corruption charges, arguing in a filing Monday night

The request from Madigan’s lawyers is no surprise. They warned Judge John Blakey it’d be coming after Blakey handed down a harsh sentence June 13.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is asking Judge John Robert Blakey to let him avoid prison while his attorneys appeal his corruption conviction. Madigan’s attorneys described what they called “errors” by the court and insisted that Madigan would not flee Illinois.