Ald. Ed Burke Resigns As Chairman Of Finance Committee

CHICAGO — Alderman Ed Burke (14th) has resigned as chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. Burke was charged with attempted extortion Thursday. He's accused of using his political office to solicit business for his private law firm.

Burke had served as Finance Committee chairman for the past 30 years.

“I have spoken with Alderman Ed Burke, who agreed that the best course of action is for him to resign as Chairman of the Committee on Finance," Emanuel said in a statement. "Because of his affection for the city, deep respect for the institution of City Council and the needs of his constituents, Alderman Burke took the appropriate step to put the interests of the city above all else."

Committee on Finance Vice Chairman Alderman Pat O’Connor (40th) will take over Burke's responsibilities on the committee, Emanuel said.

The FBI conducted raids on Burke's City Hall and 14th Ward offices in November and December.

Federal agents also secretly recorded some of Burke's cell phone conversations, the complaint shows.

A criminal complaint alleges that in 2017, the alderman tried to extort owners of a fast-food company who were seeking permits for remodeling a restaurant in Burke's ward. The alderman allegedly blocked a driveway permit until the company agreed to use his private law firm, which specializes in property tax appeals.

"The transaction described in the complaint does not make out extortion or an attempt to extort," said Charles Sklarsky, Burke's attorney.

According to multiple reports, the restaurant seeking permits was the Burger King at 4060 S. Pulaski Road — the same site of the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald.

The complaint also alleges that Burke illegally took a $10,000 campaign donation from one of the company's executives for another politician.

While the politician isn't named in the complaint, Burke helped to organize a campaign fundraiser for mayoral candidate Toni Preckwinkle in 2017. The Preckwinkle campaign has maintained that the contribution was rejected.

Burke appeared before a magistrate judge at Dirksen U.S. Courthouse Thursday afternoon. He was released on a $10,000 bond.

Image/video via YouTube/ABC 7