Flashback: Alderman Ed Burke The Early Years of Corruption and Ethically Challenged Behavior

Ike Mezo reports on the early years of Alderman Ed Burke:

• August 1969: Burke is charged with "draft dodging" and using his
influence to obtain a spot in the Army Reserves in order to avoid the
draft.
• November 1977: Burke chairs the city council subcommittee that
grants taxi fare increases to Checker and Yellow cab companies.

• June 1978: The 14th Ward alderman tries to establish his own private
detective agency, but is rebuffed due to a conflict of interest. Burke
heads the City Council's Police and Fire Committee and the council
fears vital information may be leaked from the police to Burke's agency.

• September 1979: Burke fails to pay $11,590 in real estate taxes on a
nursing home he owns.

• July 1980: Burke defaults on a $50,000 loan to buy another nursing
home with Kenneth Sain. Sain was already famous for being paid to do
the "Snow Study" for Mayor Bilandic.

• October 1981: Burke is part owner of a nursing home in Chicago
accused by the State of Illinois of paitent abuse.

• February 1982: While claiming to be the champion of the consumer,
Burke actually mises the utility bills of Chicago residents by introducing
an ordinance to increase the city tax on the gas company from five to
eight percent. The tax is passed on directly to the consumer.

• January 1983: Burke is the registered agent for two suburban cement
companies that receive millions from the city in contracts.

• February 1983: Burke is again instrumental in M&R Games Inc.
receiving a no-bid contract to operate video games at O'Hare Airport.

• April 1983: Burke's 14th Ward organization receives $4,000 from
Waste Management, Inc.

Would you want this man to slate all the judges in Cook Country?