Chicago’s longest-serving alderman pleaded not guilty to a host of new federal corruption charges.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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