East Central Reporter

Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke has been found guilty of racketeering conspiracy by a federal jury. The jury determined that Burke had used his position of power to secure private law business, thus engaging in corrupt practices. This verdict is seen as a blow to the reputation of the Democratic party in Illinois, particularly given Burke's long-standing influence and the extent of his control over the government.

Representative Miller, a House Republican, expressed his views on the matter, stating, "As the longest serving Alderman in Chicago, Ed Burke controlled all the levers of power in the city. Along with Mike Madigan, the Daley’s and other powerful Democrat families, Burke also controlled the entirety of government in Illinois. His conviction is a conviction of the entire Illinois Democrat party." Miller also noted the embarrassment caused by the fact that Burke's wife served as a supreme court justice during the period when the corruption took place.

Burke's trial and subsequent conviction have been a long time coming. Initially charged with attempted extortion in January 2019, it has taken nearly five years for the case to reach this point. The trial began on November 6, 2023, with jury selection, and after almost six weeks of testimony, the jury deliberated for 23 hours before delivering their verdict.

This latest conviction adds to the growing list of Democrats in Illinois who have been found guilty of similar charges in recent years. The prevalence of corruption within the state's government has led to a significant loss of public trust. Representative Miller emphasized the need for comprehensive ethics reforms to address this issue, stating, "Corruption in any level of government only further erodes public trust in all elected officials. That is why House Republicans have been working for years to strengthen anti-corruption laws in Illinois. It’s time to end the culture of corruption that has gripped our state for decades and pass sweeping ethics reforms now."

The impact of corruption in Illinois cannot be underestimated. The Illinois Policy Institute estimates that corruption costs the state $550 million per year. In addition to this, there are other forms of lawlessness, such as illegal immigration, which are projected to cost over one billion dollars this year. Representative Miller highlighted the frustration felt by many in his district, stating, "For too many years, the Democrats have decided what laws are enforced and what laws are ignored in my district, we’ve had enough of all of it."

The conviction of former Alderman Ed Burke serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in government. It is hoped that this case will prompt further action to combat corruption and restore public trust in elected officials in Illinois.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://repcmiller.com/2023/12/22/former-chicago-alderman-ed-burke-found-guilty/