Co-defendant Charles Cui was also found guilty of bribery, while Burke’s longtime aide Peter Andrews was acquitted. House Republicans have filed common sense proposals and are more than willing to have bipartisan discussions to close loopholes and enhance penalties for those who violate the public’s trust.”įormer Chicago alderperson Ed Burke was today found guilty by a jury on 13 out of 14 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, extortion and bribery. Democrats’ complacency with the status quo continues to cheat and take advantage of Illinois families by the very government who says it is there to protect them. “Illinois has weak ethics laws and House Republicans have been pushing for significant reforms for years. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie released the following statement after former Alderman Ed Burke, the longest-serving Chicago City Council member, was convicted on numerous criminal charges, including racketeering and extortion: I like to think somewhere, Harold is smiling.” But meanwhile, with this verdict, rendered by a jury of his peers, the tyranny of Ed Burke is over. “Only time will tell if the lessons of Ed Burke’s ascent and spectacular fall will lead to desperately needed reforms begun, but not nearly finished, around transparency and accountability. “But like many before who feasted on their gluttonous power, Burke was felled because this total lack of accountability made him foolishly think he was invincible. And the party who gave Burke control over judicial nominations, so that decades of jurists became beholden to him. The other elected officials who, over the years, looked the other way as Burke systematically monetized the Finance Committee for his own personal benefit. “Along the way, Burke has had many, many enablers: the pernicious practice of aldermanic prerogative which, despite efforts to eliminate it, persists to this day, especially in zoning and development decisions. “With this jury’s verdict, Ed Burke should rightfully be remembered as a man who elevated personal ambition and greed over doing the people’s work. Lightfoot on today’s guilty verdict in the federal corruption trial of former Ald. Seidel is reporting that Burke’s sentencing hearing will be June 19.įollowing is a statement from former Chicago Mayor Lori E. * The Sun-Times story is here and the Tribune story is here. *** UPDATE 3 *** Andrews not guilty on all charges.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Burke convicted of racketeering. Burke and prosecutors are now in the courtroom.

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