Chicago Machine's Top Boss Marks 40 Years of Service:Alderman Burke

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

He was called the J. Edgar Hoover of City Hall, with a memory like an elephant and dossier on almost everybody.

He’s also the City Council’s very own Cal Ripken Jr. In 40 years, he’s never once missed a meeting.

Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th) today became the longest-serving alderman in Chicago history. Only “Foxy Ed” Cullerton comes close, but he represented four different wards over 41 years that were not consecutive.

For 90 minutes, aldermen who admire and fear the 65-year-old Burke rose to sing his praises.

For more on the man who runs Chicago.