MYSTERIOUS: 2 - What They Never Told You

Ed Burke corruption trial off to slow start as once powerful politician faces those who may decide his fate

Burke wore a gray suit and tie with an American flag pin on his lapel. From time to time he could be seen reviewing paperwork, including questionnaires filled out by the potential jurors. But he mostly seemed to be taking it all in.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 7, 2023

Jury selection begins as Ed Burke, ‘figurehead of the old regime,’ faces historic corruption trial

The stage has been set for another legal clash at the Dirksen courthouse. But it’s unclear whether another central political figure, former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, will make an appearance in the courtroom.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 6, 2023

‘Power and control’ frame Edward Burke’s legacy. A federal jury will soon decide that legacy’s coda.

He entered politics as one of the youngest Chicago City Council members in history and became its most powerful and longest-serving member. Now, he’s fighting to avoid prison.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 27, 2023

Johnson’s biggest challenge in delivering inaugural address: avoid Lightfoot’s mistake

Lightfoot denounced the City Council as corrupt, then turned around and shamed all 50 members, who were seated behind her, into joining the cheering crowd in a standing ovation for reform,

Chicago Sun-Times · May 15, 2023

Trump wins $1 million property tax refund on his namesake Chicago skyscraper

An appeals court ruled that Trump International Hotel & Tower was overvalued by Cook County officials a dozen years ago. The Chicago Public Schools stands to lose the most money — about $540,000.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 25, 2023

The long goodbye: City Council honors Mayor Lori Lightfoot, 13 departing members

Tears were shed, good-natured barbs traded, hatchets buried. One would never have known Ald. Edward Burke is leaving under the cloud of a federal indictment or that the mayor’s relationship with the Council was so contentious,

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 19, 2023

Here’s how the 4 mayoral front-runners plan to make the runoff

If the vote total is close to the 556,758 mayoral ballots cast in 2019, the two hopefuls making the runoff are likely to get 20% each. But the four top-polling contenders each have a different formula to reach that benchmark.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 24, 2023

City Council short-circuits Lightfoot’s plan for quick vote on ComEd franchise agreement

The mayor called the slowdown a “parliamentary game” and tried to call the Council back to meet Tuesday, just to rescue the deal. But that effort also was defeated, and the Council isn’t scheduled to meet again until March.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 1, 2023

What will the next Chicago City Council look like?

With many alderpersons choosing not to run for reelection, decades of institutional knowledge will be lost when the new Council convenes.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 25, 2023

Lori Lightfoot came out of nowhere to win the 2019 Chicago mayor’s race. Can a lesser-known challenger do the same this time?

CHICAGO — At this time in Chicago’s 2019 election cycle, nobody gave Lori Lightfoot a chance to win her long-shot bid for mayor.

Chicago Tribune · Jan 1, 2023