Chicago and Illinois have suffered more than their fair share of crooked politicians. Federal prosecutors here have enjoyed a near-perfect track record of putting them away. Now comes the corruption trial of former Ald. Edward Burke, the longtime, uber-powerful chairman of the Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee. The trial, which kicked off last week at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago, could make history.
The man who stands in the docket is not only Chicago’s longest-serving alderman but also is by far the most powerful. Facing a 14-count federal indictment, Burke retired earlier this year after representing Chicago’s 14th Ward for 54 years. He has proclaimed innocence since he was charged in 2019. Burke has dodged ethics and law enforcement investigations for decades. Now, time and greed may catch up with him. Jury selection in the trial was put on hold Thursday after one of the lawyers involved in the case tested positive for COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ordered a pause to the proceedings until Nov. 1