Chicago aldermen convicted of corruption — and others facing charges

Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke was found guilty by a federal jury of racketeering conspiracy and 12 other counts for using his office to gain private law Business. The verdict concluded a dramatic downfall for Burke, the former head of the city Finance Committee and Democratic political machine master who served 54 years in the City Council before resigning in May. 39 Chicago aldermen have pleaded guilty or been convicted since 1972. Current charges are pending against Daniel Solis and Carrie Austin, while former aldermen Willie Cochran, Isaac “Ike” Carothers, Arenda Troutman, Percy Giles, Virgil Jones, Lawrence Bloom, John Madrzyk, Jesse Evans, Joseph Martinez, Allan Streeter, Ambrosio Medrano, Fred Roti, Marian Humes, Perry Hutchinson, Chester Kuta, Wallace Davis Jr., and Clifford Kelley have pleaded guilty or been convicted of various crimes. Ald. Edward Burke was sentenced in 2023, while Daniel Solis, a former alderman facing charges in 2022, has entered a deferred prosecution agreement. Carrie Austin has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.