Flashback: Powerful Chicago Alderman Burke Votes to Raise Taxi Fares While Doing Legal Work For Cab Company

Here's a flashback from Crain's Chicago Business in March of 1997:

He OK'd fares while Yellow was client

For at least six years, Alderman Edward Burke repeatedly has voted for fare hikes and other legislation affecting Chicago's taxi industry while his law firm was working for the largest cab company in the city.

A review of Cook County tax records reveals that Mr. Burke's five-person law firm, Klafter & Burke, began handling property tax appeals work for Yellow Cab Co. as early as 1991. The law firm actually may have been retained earlier, but records prior to 1989 no longer are available.

That's the Chicago Way. For more on American's most conflicted politician.