Embattled Ald. Edward Burke has spent more than $2.7 million on legal fees, tapping a deep reservoir of campaign funds built up over decades as he awaits trial on charges of racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion.
[Most read] Column: Chicago Public Schools and Lightfoot should have seen school closures coming, not sought normalcy in abnormal timesThe benefit of having City Hall’s largest campaign fund, however, is that Burke doesn’t have to use his personal wealth to pay his lawyers.
In addition, Burke has spent another $156,000 with Blegen & Garvey, the firm representing Peter Andrews, a longtime 14th Ward aide who has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with Burke to shake down two business owners seeking to renovate a Burger King in the ward. While Illinois law allows politicians to spend campaign money on legal expenses, Burke may have an incentive not to spend all of it.
While Burke continues his fight in court, he’s also facing a political battle at City Hall, as aldermen feud over the boundaries for the city’s new ward map. It’s a once-a-decade process set in motion by new census results that Burke used to hold great power over in backroom negotiations.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chicago Public Schools closed despite receiving nearly $2.8B in federal COVID fundingThe Chicago Public Schools system is projected to receive nearly $2.8 billion in federal coronavirus aid intended to help schools reopen, but they are closed to start off the new year.
Read more »
Jailed Capitol-riot defendant blasts Trump for canceling his January 6 press conference, saying he abandoned his supporters'I feel like I have been abandoned by the political hierarchy, our leaders, our senators, our president,' he said. 'President Trump, where are you?'
Read more »
Federal Judge Says Capitol Riot Defendant Can’t Travel To Jamaica While Awaiting TrialIn a scathing ruling, a judge said Thursday she “will not commemorate the one-year anniversary of this attack on the Capitol” by letting an alleged rioter travel from Michigan to Jamaica to meet his girlfriend’s father.
Read more »
Federal Judge Says Capitol Riot Defendant Can’t Travel To Jamaica While Awaiting TrialIn a scathing ruling, a judge said Thursday she “will not commemorate the one-year anniversary of this attack on the Capitol” by letting an alleged rioter travel from Michigan to Jamaica to meet his girlfriend’s father.
Read more »
Chicago Public Schools closed despite receiving nearly $2.8B in federal COVID fundingThe Chicago Public Schools system is projected to receive nearly $2.8 billion in federal coronavirus aid intended to help schools reopen, but they are closed to start off the new year.
Read more »