Powerful Chicago Alderman made money from companies he blasted

The Chicago Tribune reports:

As the nation’s economic recession worsened, powerful Chicago Ald. Edward Burke (14th) increasingly used his City Council speeches to rail against Wall Street greed.

Yet, while Burke proposed legislation to punish bankers, he profited from his private business relationships with them, newly released documents show.

Burke, who recently marked 40 years as alderman of his Southwest Side ward, reported earning capital gains of at least $5,000 from investments in each of 58 companies in 2008. He also made more than $5,000 last year from each of 31 private law clients who do business with City Hall, according to economic disclosure statements released by the city Monday.

Among Burke’s law clients was Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs made the list of his profitable investments. Recent Burke-sponsored council ordinances have targeted Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

Alderman Burke didn't mind honoring and associating with a "made member" of the Chicago Mob.Alderman Burke is the man that slates all the judges in Cook County: which is America's largest unified court system.