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Dennis Hastert, Former House Speaker, Dies at 84

The former Illinois congressman and House speaker died of natural causes at home after a career overshadowed by abuse admissions and banking convictions.

  • Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert died at age 84 at his home over the weekend, Kendall County Coroner Jacquie Purcell confirmed Monday due to natural causes.
  • Elected to represent Illinois' 14th district in 1986, Hastert rose to become the longest-serving Republican House Speaker, presiding over the 106th through 109th Congresses before resigning in 2007.
  • Hastert's political career ended after investigators uncovered he paid $3.5 million to conceal sexual abuse of students during his tenure as a wrestling coach at Yorkville High School, where he abused at least four students.
  • U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin sentenced Hastert to 15 months in prison and a $250,000 fine for violating banking laws, calling him a "serial child molester" during the 2016 sentencing hearing.
  • As the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to serve prison time, Hastert's legacy remains defined by his fall from grace; he is survived by his wife, Jean, and their two sons, Joshua and Ethan.
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Former GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert Dies at 84

·Boca Raton, United States
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KTVQ broke the news on Monday, October 5, 2026.
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