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

Chicago police union chief says dethrone Lightfoot over COVID-19 mandates

By Dylan Sharkey

10/26/2021

Immediately after a judge ended the gag order on Chicago’s police union president, he went right after Mayor Lori Lightfoot again about her COVID-19 vaccination mandate and reporting policy. Some aldermen joined his crusade.

TAGS: COVID-19, FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, John Catanzara, Lori Lightfoot

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

Lightfoot pushes permanent 10 p.m. curfew on liquor store sales in Chicago

By Patrick Andriesen

05/26/2021

Grocery and liquor stores would be barred from selling beer, wine and liquor after 10 p.m. if Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gets her way. She said the move would curb crime by stopping gatherings outside liquor stores and help recovering bars and restaurants.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, curfew, liquor laws, Lori Lightfoot

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

Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months

12/15/2020

Chicago leaders are using another gas tax hike to help fill a budget hole driven by pensions. Total gas taxes and fees are closing in on $1 per gallon.

TAGS: Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot

Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty

11/16/2020

A Chinatown developer made the recording in 2014, which is still a piece to a lengthy federal investigation.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, federal investigation, Mike Madigan

House investigative committee calls for Madigan testimony in corruption scandal

09/18/2020

Following initial hearings, a committee formed to investigate House Speaker Mike Madigan’s involvement in a ComEd corruption scandal requested testimony from key players.

TAGS: bribery, ComEd, corruption, federal investigation, Mike Madigan

Extortion conspiracy, tax evasion charges filed against former Cook County commissioner

08/27/2020

Jeffrey Tobolski is the latest Illinois politician charged in a wide-ranging federal corruption probe into bribes, insider deals, cronyism and red-light cameras.

TAGS: corruption, extortion, federal investigation, tax fraud

Municipal council

Secret footage of Chicago alderman detailed in corruption probe

Chicago police union chief says dethrone Lightfoot over COVID-19 mandates

Feds indict Chicago alderman for trading city favors for home improvements

Lightfoot pushes permanent 10 p.m. curfew on liquor store sales in Chicago

Former Chicago Ald. Richard Munoz indicted on fraud charges

Chicago alderman related to Daleys indicted for tax fraud

Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months

Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty

House investigative committee calls for Madigan testimony in corruption scandal

Extortion conspiracy, tax evasion charges filed against former Cook County commissioner

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students