( CNN ) -- Former Illinois congressman Dan Rostenkowski , who rose through the ranks of Chicago 's rough-and-tumble political scene to become one of the most powerful men on Capitol Hill , has died , according to the office of Chicago Alderman Richard Mell . He was 82 . He died in Wisconsin after an extended illness , Mell 's office said . Rostenkowski first entered Congress in 1959 , during the second half of the Eisenhower administration . Known for his booming voice and reputation as a power broker , he became chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee in 1981 . During his tenure as chairman , the powerful Democrat played a key role in passing major reforms of both Social Security and the tax code , among other things . Read more about Rostenkowski 's life and career . In 1988 , Rostenkowski helped pass a controversial expansion of Medicare designed to protect seniors against catastrophic medical expenses . Senior citizens became livid over the higher monthly premiums and surtax tied to the bill . The measure was repealed a year later . Rostenkowski was defeated in the Republican landslide of 1994 , however , after becoming mired in scandal . Among other things , prosecutors alleged he used public funds for personal matters and to pay employees who did little actual work . Rostenkowski pleaded guilty to corruption charges in April 1996 , and ultimately served over a year in federal prison . He was pardoned by President Bill Clinton in 2000 . `` Dan Rostenkowski devoted his life to his community , Chicago and the state , '' Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said Wednesday . `` His efforts on behalf of the regular people who needed a friend to wade through the tangle of government are unparalleled . '' CNN 's Charles Riley contributed to this report .
Rostenkowski first entered Congress in 1959 . He became chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee in 1981 . Rostenkowsi was defeated in the Republican landslide of 1994 .