Feds targeted these Illinois politicians for corruption in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

12/26/2022

Illinois saw more than its fair share of corruption and misconduct again in 2022, but some politicians stood out in a crowded field.

TAGS: corruption, Illinois

Indicted Chicago alderman too ill to stand trial, OK to cast council votes

By Patrick Andriesen

11/15/2022

Chicago’s second-longest serving alderman is seeking a stay of prosecution on federal bribery charges, arguing she is “not medically fit to stand trial.” The plea comes eight days after Ald. Carrie Austin voted on the council floor to approve the city budget.

TAGS: Chicago City Council, corruption

Illinois Supreme Court chief justice retiring ahead of husband’s corruption trial

By Dylan Sharkey

09/16/2022

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke will retire Nov. 30, allowing her replacement to be appointed rather than elected. Her husband, Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, faces reelection in February and a corruption trial in late 2023.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court

Chicago ex-alderman charged with bribery might keep pension

By Justin Carlson

04/22/2022

Ex-Alderman Danny Solis handed federal prosecutors the top politicians in Chicago and the Statehouse to get out of bribery charges. His deal could let him keep his pension – a ploy too common in Illinois as voters consider Amendment 1’s potential for protecting pension abuse.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, pensions

Illinois Supreme Court ponders politicians using campaign cash for criminal defense

By Patrick Andriesen

01/21/2022

Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez argued a publicly elected official facing corruption charges should not be able to use campaign funds for a legal defense. If the person is not running for office, the legal bills are a “personal” expense, he contended.

TAGS: campaign finance, Illinois Supreme Court

Secret footage of Chicago alderman detailed in corruption probe

By Patrick Andriesen

01/18/2022

Chicago Ald. Edward Burke was secretly videotaped in City Hall by federal authorities as part of the corruption probe into Illinois politics. Burke reportedly confided in an informant how they would avoid being caught.

TAGS: Chicago City Council, corruption, Ed Burke

Feds indict Chicago alderman for trading city favors for home improvements

By Patrick Andriesen

07/06/2021

Chicago’s second-longest-serving alderman became the third sitting Chicago City Council member to come under federal indictment. She faces bribery charges.

TAGS: Carrie Austin, Chicago, corruption

Former Chicago Ald. Richard Munoz indicted on fraud charges

04/30/2021

Former Chicago Ald. Ricardo Munoz, appointed by Richard M. Daley, faces federal charges stating he used campaign funds to pay for personal expenses and committed money laundering. Over 30 Chicago aldermen have been convicted or charged with corruption.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, federal investigation, Richard Munoz

Chicago alderman related to Daleys indicted for tax fraud

By Brad Weisenstein

04/29/2021

Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, related to both Mayor Daleys, faces federal charges stating he filed false tax returns and lied about $219,000 in payments from a neighborhood bank. Over 30 Chicago aldermen have been convicted or charged with corruption.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, federal investigation, Patrick Daley Thompson, tax fraud

Feds call Chicago Ald. Ed Burke ‘thoroughly corrupt’

By Patrick Andriesen

04/22/2021

Chicago’s longest-serving alderman, Ed Burke, tried to extort redevelopers of the old West Loop post office and others. They said there was no need to entrap Burke because his hand was regularly out.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation

Edward M. Burke

Feds targeted these Illinois politicians for corruption in 2022

Indicted Chicago alderman too ill to stand trial, OK to cast council votes

Illinois Supreme Court chief justice retiring ahead of husband’s corruption trial

Chicago ex-alderman charged with bribery might keep pension

Illinois Supreme Court ponders politicians using campaign cash for criminal defense

Secret footage of Chicago alderman detailed in corruption probe

Feds indict Chicago alderman for trading city favors for home improvements

Former Chicago Ald. Richard Munoz indicted on fraud charges

Chicago alderman related to Daleys indicted for tax fraud

Feds call Chicago Ald. Ed Burke ‘thoroughly corrupt’

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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