Report: Patronage, Cronyism and Criminality in Chicago Government Agencies

The University of Illinois at Chicago team led by Thomas Gradel and Dick Simpson are back with a new massive report on Chicago corruption. Here's an 82 page PDF report:

The cost is high. In Chicago and Cook County there have been more than 340 convictions of public officials and business people since 1970, including three governors, 31 aldermen, more than 40 city employees in the "Hired Truck" scandal, 21 people in building inspection payoffs , and dozens of park district employees. Many of these lawbreakers have been convicted of multiple crimes. These are only some of the best-known scandals. In the roster of crooked city employees and their business associates at the end of this report we detail them along with their crimes and sentences. These felons and the many people who were also guilty but not caught have cost Chicago, Cook County and Illinois taxpayers an estimated 500 million dollars a year.

You'll want to read the report, then hope your city isn't run like this. Where else could high ranking made member of the Mob get elected to city council for 23 years ? Here's part of National Geographic special on Chicago.