CHICAGO — Edward M. Burke is the longest standing alderman in Chicago history, arguably the most powerful, too. On Thursday, the 75-year-old lawyer and alderman added one more distinction to his resume: criminal defendant.
Burke faces federal fraud charges for allegedly using his office for personal gain.
The son of a Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy turned Chicago alderman, Burke followed in his father’s footsteps. He served as a Chicago police officer from 1965-1968, working the infamous 1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention. He later became a lawyer and Chicago alderman, taking over his father Edward P. Burke’s 14th Ward seat in 1969.
Edward M. Burke’s political career has taken many twists and turns over years. Most recently, his City Hall and aldermanic offices were raided twice in two weeks at the end of 2018.
Who would have thought a man once labeled “one of Chicago’s most powerful alderman” would find himself on the wrong side of the law, with 50 years of service under his belt?
He’s written books, headed up the powerful finance committee, and for years he’s been scrutinized for…
