Indicted Builder Aided Alderman Burke and His Wife Justice Anne Burke: Developer held fundraiser, later got zoning change for project in city

The Chicago Tribune has a big front page story on Chicago's power couple:

A developer now at the center of a City Hall bribery scandal hosted a political fundraiser for Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke in his home, just months before receiving crucial support for his real estate project from her husband, Ald. Edward Burke, a Tribune investigation has found.

Both Burkes got campaign donations from developer Calvin Boender while Boender was pushing to build a $35 million condo and restaurant project on a blighted stretch of Cicero Avenue near Midway Airport.

Several months after the March 2007 fundraiser for his wife and weeks after receiving his $1,500 campaign donation, Edward Burke (14th) gave his all-important backing for Boender's project in his Southwest Side ward.

For years, Boender has quietly forged ties with politicians as he pursued real estate deals around Chicago, but he was indicted in May on charges he bribed a West Side alderman to win backing for another project.

You'll want to read the whole article. Of course, Alderman Burke has no comment. He could care less what people think. For more on Alderman Burke's background. For a look at the sensitive subject of fixing trials and the Burkes.