Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was found guilty in his federal corruption case on Thursday, facing 14 counts including racketeering and extortion. While his co-defendant, Peter Andrews, was found not guilty, the third co-defendant, Charles Cui, was also found guilty on all counts.
The packed courtroom saw Burke and Andrews present, and Cui appeared virtually as he was unwell. The jury deliberated for 23 hours before reaching their verdict on Thursday, delivering a blow to Burke, who is now set to face post-trial hearings in February and March and sentencing on June 19.
The guilty verdict comes after years of Burke’s heavily influential role in the Chicago city council, during which time he managed to avoid what seemed like inevitable scrutiny. However, the FBI raided his office in November 2018 and evidence to support the charges against him began to surface.
Legal experts have commented on the complexity of the case, with three defendants and a mountain of evidence, including close to 40 witnesses and over 100 recordings. Additionally, Burke faced racketeering charges, which were expected to be challenging for the jury to navigate.
Both current and former Chicago mayors have issued statements in response to the guilty verdict. Current Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the responsibility of elected officials to serve with honesty and integrity, while former Mayor Lori Lightfoot reflected on the pervasiveness of corruption in Chicago politics and the need for ongoing reforms.
The end of Burke’s reign in Chicago politics marks a significant turning point, but the fallout from his actions and their impact on the city may continue for years to come.