Another Chicago alderman pleads guilty to corruption charges

By Joe Barnas

03/26/2019

South Side Ald. Willie Cochran pleaded guilty March 21 to felony wire fraud for spending his ward’s charity funds on personal expenses. That’s 30 Chicago aldermen convicted of corruption since 1972.

TAGS: aldermanic privilege, Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, Willie Cochran

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation

By Vincent Caruso

02/13/2019

Chicagoland and northern Illinois have seen more corrupt public officials put behind bars than any other part of the nation, a new analysis found.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke

FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office

By Austin Berg

01/29/2019

Madigan has long been criticized for his control of a lucrative law firm specializing in Cook County property tax appeals.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, FBI, House Speaker, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

Chicago Ald. Ed Burke gives up control of city finances after felony extortion charge

By Brad Weisenstein

01/04/2019

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Jan. 4 that longtime Ald. Ed Burke resigned as chairman of the city’s finance committee. The move came the day after federal agents served Burke an attempted extortion charge.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Ed Burke

Longtime Chicago Ald. Ed Burke charged with extortion

By Brad Weisenstein

01/03/2019

Federal prosecutors claim Burke used his position as alderman to solicit business for his law firm, which specializes in Cook County property tax appeals. Felony attempted extortion could come with up to 20 years in prison.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Ed Burke

FBI raids office of powerful Chicago Ald. Ed Burke

By Austin Berg

11/29/2018

Burke has served on the Chicago City Council for nearly 50 years, and has long been the subject of ethical complaints from government watchdogs.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Ed Burke

Bipartisan anti-corruption bill bottled up in Illinois Senate

By Austin Berg

11/27/2018

After unanimous approval from the Illinois House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate has remained conspicuously silent on a bill meant to address one man’s dominance of a little-known network of government authorities.

TAGS: Andrew Hamilton, Bruce Rauner, corruption, good government, Illinois Senate

Theft, solicitation of bribes among misconduct in Chicago inspector general’s report

By Joe Barnas

10/22/2018

Chicago’s inspector general unveiled a litany of misconduct by city employees and contractors.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption

Rauner issues executive orders banning nepotism in state hires, eliminating 53 inactive state boards

By Vincent Caruso

09/24/2018

The governor issued a pair of executive orders aimed at improving ethics and efficiency in state government.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, consolidation, corruption, nepotism, property taxes, townships

Lawsuit claims Chicago red-light cameras violate state law

By Chris Lentino

09/21/2018

A class-action lawsuit claims Chicago’s red-light camera program fails to provide ticketed motorists with information required by state law.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Rahm Emanuel, red light cameras