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

Madigan was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison​, following his conviction on bribery, conspiracy, and fraud charges.

The former Illinois House speaker is asking that he be allowed to stay out of prison during his appeal in the federal bribery case — an area of criminal law his attorneys say is among the most complex and “rapidly evolving.