The building was quiet Monday with no meetings scheduled. But despite the stillness, the two-year prison sentence and $2 million fine delivered to the longest-serving Chicago alderman ever was already reverberating around the City Council he long lorded over.
“It is really shameful to see elected officials abuse the public trust,” said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th. “Nobody is above the law.”
Burke — first elected in 1969 — had long been an emblem of Chicago old-guard politics: a well-positioned alderman who carried essential clout in his own ward and the power and standing within City Hall to help or hinder council colleagues (and mayors) who were seeking to advance their own agendas.
But after a six-week trial, a four-day jury deliberation and a final five-hour hearing Monday, Burke’s clout came to a resounding end as he was sentenced on racketeering conspiracy, bribery and attempted extortion in a series of schemes to use his office to try to win business from developers for his private property tax law firm.
“Justice, even at the end, matters, to send a message to the public,” Sigcho-Lopez said.
Joining Chicago’s long list of disgraced council members should taint Burke’s reputation, alongside his role leading white aldermen in the “Council Wars” of the 1980s that saw Chicago’s City Council split along racial lines when Mayor Harold Washington governed, Sigcho-Lopez said.
Still, for some aldermen who long served with Burke, seeing the old colleague be sent away is painful.
Ald. Nick Sposato, 38th, held out hope after hearing the sentence that Burke will get out early for good behavior.
“He is a friend. I’m loyal to the death. I stand behind my friends, and I was hoping it would not be more than a year or so,” Sposato said. “He did a lot of good things. He did a really terrible thing at the end there. Still hard for me to comprehend, and he is paying a price.”
Ald. Nick Sposato speaks during a City Council meeting on May 25, 2022, at City Hall. Sposato, a loyal friend of former Ald. Burke, wished a lower sentence for him. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Sposato, always quick to share folk wisdom when he speaks in council meetings, summed up the lesson he thought his colleagues might now learn: “You do something wrong, you gotta pay the price.”
But that lesson, he added, is one Chicago aldermen surely should have already grasped. You always think this will be the last time, Sposato said.
“I know there’s some aldermen who I feel aren’t that intelligent that I could see if something did happen to him, I could say, well, he or she was not very smart. That doesn’t surprise me,” he said. “But you know, when a smart person does something and they know they’re doing wrong, it’s just hard to comprehend.”
“I don’t know if it will ever stop,” he said.
One alderman notably did not react to the news of Burke’s sentencing. When a Tribune reporter called Burke’s 14th Ward successor, Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez, a half-hour after the decision, she said she had not yet heard the news.
Gutierrez declined to comment on Burke’s sentence.
“I just need to read more about the case,” she said.
Ex-Ald. Edward Burke leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after he was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million for his corruption conviction on June 24, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Former Ald. Ed Burke arrives for his sentencing at the Dirksen U.S Courthouse on June 24, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on June 24, 2024, after being sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Ex-Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, right, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on June 5, 2024, following a post-trial motions hearing for acquittal in his corruption trial which ended in Dec. 2023. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)
Ex-Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on June 5, 2024, following a post-trial motions hearing for acquittal in his corruption trial which ended in Dec. 2023. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Dec. 21, 2023, after being convicted by a federal jury of racketeering conspiracy and a dozen other counts.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Edward Burke, left, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse with his attorney Chris Gair after he was found guilty of most of the charges in his corruption trial, Dec. 21, 2023.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago after a guilty verdict in his corruption trial, Dec. 21, 2023.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke, left, exits the federal courthouse after the guilty verdict in his corruption trial, Dec. 21, 2023.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Chicago FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert "Wes" Wheeler Jr. speaks at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Dec. 21, 2023, after former Ald. Edward Burke Chicago was convicted by a federal jury.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual talks to reporters following the verdict in the corruption trial of former Ald. Edward Burke at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago after he was found guilty of most of the charges in his corruption trial, Dec. 21, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Edward Burke arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for his corruption trial on Dec. 12, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Daniel Solis, who was an FBI mole, arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for the Edward Burke corruption trial on Dec. 12, 2023.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
FBI mole and former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago with his attorney, Lisa Noller, on Dec. 11, 2023, after another day in the corruption trial of former Ald. Edward Burke.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago during a lunch break in his corruption trial on Dec. 6, 2023.
U.S. Attorney
Then-Ald. Edward Burke points toward then-Ald. Daniel Solis in a video secretly recorded by Solis at Burke's offices on Sept. 26, 2016. The video was played for jurors at Burke's federal corruption trial.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse with wife Anne Burke on Nov. 30, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke and wife Anne cross Dearborn Street near the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse before the eighth day of testimony in his trial, Nov. 30, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Edward Burke gets into an awaiting vehicle after attending his corruption trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, Nov. 28, 2023.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke exits after attending his corruption trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, Nov. 28, 2023, in Chicago.
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
Former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke, center, arrives for his alleged political corruption trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Nov. 6, 2023, in Chicago.
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
Former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke arrives for his alleged political corruption trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Nov. 6, 2023, in Chicago.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse during a lunch break in his corruption trial on Nov. 17, 2023.
Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune
Ex-Chicago Ald. Edward Burke and his spouse, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, return to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse following lunch break from his trial on Nov. 7, 2023.
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
Former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Nov. 6, 2023, for his trial on corruption charges.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for a lunch break in his trial on Nov. 6, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Edward Burke and his wife, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for a lunch break during jury selection for his trial on corruption charges, Nov. 6, 2023.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Nearly five years after he was first charged, ex-Chicago Ald. Edward Burke arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago to go on trial in a corruption case.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, right, listens to City Council discussion of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's $16.4 billion 2023 budget on Nov. 7, 2022.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, rides an elevator down from the second floor of City Hall after attending his final City Council meeting as an alderman on April 19, 2023.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, leaves the City Council chamber after talking to reporters following his final council meeting, April 19, 2023.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, right, gets applause after his farewell speech on his last day as alderman at the City Council meeting, April 19, 2023.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, speaks during a Chicago City Council Meeting on Sept. 21, 2022.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, walks the floor on June 22, 2022, during a Chicago City Council meeting at City Hall.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, at City Hall in Chicago at a special meeting about Mayor Lori Lightfoot's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers on March 16, 2022. Lacking a quorum, the meeting was adjourned.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, departs Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on June 4, 2019 after being arraigned on multiple federal corruption charges.
Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, appears at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on June 4, 2019. He pleaded not guilty to sweeping corruption charges alleging he abused his City Hall clout.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, center, arrives to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago with his legal team on June 4, 2019 for his arraignment on multiple federal corruption charges.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, departs his home in Chicago early, June 4, 2019, on the morning of his arraignment for multiple federal corruption charges.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke speaks at the City Council meeting on May 29, 2019. Shortly after, Mayor Lori Lightfoot cut him off and said, "I will call you when I'm ready to hear from you."
Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke talks to reporters as he leaves his office through the rear exit on election night Feb. 26, 2019.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke ignores questions from reporters after participating in a 14th Ward aldermanic candidate forum at New Life Community Church on Jan. 23, 2019.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke sits in the audience section before a 14th Ward aldermanic candidate forum at New Life Community Church on Jan. 23, 2019.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Tape covers Ald. Edward Burke's name on the Finance Committee chairman's office door at City Hall on Jan. 8, 2019. Burke took over as Finance Committee chairman in 1983.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke talks with members of the news media outside his home after turning himself in at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 3, 2019, in Chicago.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke arrives home after turning himself in at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 3, 2019, in Chicago.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke talks with members of the news media outside his home after turning himself in earlier at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 3, 2019, in Chicago.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke departs after turning himself in Jan. 3, 2019, at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke departs the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 3, 2019, after turning himself in.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke departs the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse Jan. 3, 2019, after turning himself in.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke departs the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 3, 2019, after turning himself in.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke departs in a taxi after turning himself in Jan. 3, 2019, at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke turns himself in at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2019.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke turns himself in at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2019.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke departs the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 3, 2019, after turning himself in.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke turns himself in at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2019.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke turns himself in at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, leaves his home in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, leaves his home in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2019.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Chicago Ald. Edward Burke attends the funeral for fallen Chicago police Officer Eduardo Marmolejo at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago on Dec. 22, 2018.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Chicago Ald. Edward Burke attends the funeral Mass for Chicago police Officer Conrad Gary at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago on Dec. 21, 2018.
Raquel Zaldivar/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke presides over the City Council Committee on Finance meeting at Chicago City Hall on Dec. 10, 2018.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke listens as Mayor Rahm Emanuel outlines his proposal Dec. 12, 2018, to offset potentially financially crippling future public pension payments.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, arrives for the St. Jane De Chantal Senior Club Annual Christmas party at the Mayfield banquet hall in Chicago on Dec. 3, 2018.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke returns to his Southwest Side home Nov. 29, 2018, after federal raids on his offices earlier in the day.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke returns to his Southwest Side home Nov. 29, 2018, after federal raids on his offices earlier in the day.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke returns to his Southwest Side home Nov. 29, 2018, after federal raids on his offices earlier in the day.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke returns to his Southwest Side home Nov. 29, 2018, after federal raids on his offices earlier in the day.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Boxes are carried away by investigators from Ald. Edward Burke's 14th Ward office in the 2600 block of West 51st Street in Chicago on Nov. 29, 2018.
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
A Chicago flag sits near a desk inside Ald. Edward Burke's office at City Hall while brown paper covers the glass doors leading inside after federal agents raided the office earlier in the day Nov. 29, 2018.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Boxes are carried away by investigators from Ald. Edward Burke's 14th Ward office in the 2600 block of West 51st Street on Nov. 29, 2018, in Chicago.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Unidentified people exit Ald. Edward Burke's 14th Ward office in the 2600 block of West 51st Street on Nov. 29, 2018, in Chicago. The office was closed and the windows covered with brown paper for an FBI investigation.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
A reporter tries to take a photo through the brown paper lining the glass windows of Ald. Edward Burke's office in City Hall on Nov. 29, 2018. Federal agents raided the office, sources said.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Paper covers the windows of the City Hall office of Ald. Edward Burke on Nov. 29, 2018.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Reporters wait outside the office of Ald. Edward Burke at Chicago City Hall on Nov. 29, 2018.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke's 14th Ward office in the 2600 block of West 51st Street is closed and the windows covered for an FBI investigation on Nov. 29, 2018.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke's 14th Ward office in the 2600 block of West 51st Street is closed and the windows covered for an FBI investigation on Nov. 29, 2018.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, attends the renaming ceremony of a Southwest Side Chicago park as Irma C. Ruiz Park on Oct. 19, 2018.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, speaks at a City Council meeting in Chicago City Hall on Sept. 20, 2018.
Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune
Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, was honored at the City Club in Chicago on March 7, 2018, for his 50 years of public service.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Ald. Edward Burke arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for his trial on Dec. 12, 2023.
Former Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on June 24, 2024, after being sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million for corruption. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
The sentencing was top of mind Monday for Ethics Committee Chair Ald. Matt Martin, 47th.
“When elected officials like Ald. Burke use their position to enrich themselves and those close to them, the public loses,” Martin said.
He hoped the case would motivate Chicago’s elected officials to reflect on their dismal corruption record. The City Council and mayor need to rebuild trust and improve their reputation, he said.
One way to do that, he added, is by embracing ethics-focused reforms like the plan to partially publicly finance aldermanic campaigns that he introduced in the City Council earlier this month, he said.
“It’s really important that we take verdicts and sentences like this to heart,” Martin said.
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