Convicted former U.S. House Speaker Hastert dies

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(The Center Square) – Former U.S. House Speaker and convicted Illinois Republican Dennis Hastert has died at the age of 84.

Hastert, R-Plano, was a member of the House from 1987 to 2007 and served as speaker from 1999 to 2007. Before he went to Congress, Hastert served in the Illinois House from 1983 to 1987.

In 2016, Hastert, R-Plano, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to illegally structuring cash withdrawals in order to evade financial reporting requirements. The plea deal followed accusations that Hastert sexually abused students at Yorkville High School, where he worked as a teacher and coach from 1965 to 1981.

Illinois state lawmakers later removed the statute of limitations for child sexual assault cases.

The Kendall County Coroner’s Office said it was notified about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday that Hastert died oearlier while under hospice care at his residence.

Cole Lauterbach contributed to this story

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