While I’m on the subject of Chicago politics Ed Burke, the longest-serving alderman in Chicago history, sometimes called “Chicago’s most powerful politician”, has been sentence to two years in prison, convicted of various charges of corruption. ABC 7 Chicago reports:
CHICAGO (WLS) — Ed Burke, once the most powerful Chicago alderman, was sentenced on corruption charges Monday at the Dirksen Federal Building.
Judge Virginia M. Kendall gave him a two-year prison sentence and $2 million fine.
The fine consists of $200,000 on count one and $150,000 on each of the remaining counts. The money will go toward the victims of Burke’s crimes.
My reaction: it’s a start. If every Chicago alderman who engaged in corrupt practices were tried and convicted, the City Council probably couldn’t get a quorum together. Now on to Mike Madigan who has been chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party for much of my lifetime. He, too, is facing trial on charges of corruption.
Isn’t this just law fare? Charging and prosecuting politicians when they commit crimes is awful, at least that is what a lot of people seem to believe.
Steve
A moneybag ER Doctor from the most corrupt industries is going to comment on moneybag politicians.
The SCOTUS just ruled that as long as you take the money after the favor instead of beforehand it is perfectly legal. (A mayor “accepted $13k after handing out a city contract.)
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-108_8n5a.pdf
Steve