Ed Burke, an alderman who has sat in his position for quite a while, has been convicted on 13 counts of corruption. The question remains, ” Why does this keep happening?” Ed Burke is another in a long line of corrupt politicians in the city of Chicago. The man in question decided to abuse his position of power to make deals with his law firm.
This kind of greedy corruption has truly infested Chicago. What it always seems to come don to is the fact that the position of alderman is a low stakes, but high power position. This isn’t to say that the stakes aren’t high for any particular alderman’s constituency. However, from a grander political perspective there are 50 aldermen in Chicago, but only one mayor.
Economic Discrepancies
It is very difficult to become the alderman in any given district unless one has a lot of money behind them. This can either come from grass roots raised funds, or corporate backed money. A corporation‘s only reason for existence is to make money.
As a consequence, the corporations will always have the money to back the political candidate. A lawmaker that will make the call that benefits the rich. It is these kinds of people that make it most often in politics, and this self interested, inherently selfish behavior is rewarded with money and power.
One Bad Apple Ruins the Bunch
Furthermore, Ed Burke is not an individual bad apple, he is a product of a system that desperately needs to be over hauled. Ed Burke, and people like him are the reason why that the city of Chicago doesn’t have more progressive voices.
Ed Burke earned each and every one of those 13 corruption charges. He took advantage of his position of power, and is now facing the consequences of his actions. The city of Chicago must be cleansed of corrupt politicians and the systems by which their greed is rewarded.
Written by Kenneth Mazerat
Sources
AP News: Longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke found guilty of corruption
Block Club Chicago: A List Of Chicago Aldermen Indicted, Raided Or Implicated By The Feds, Criminally Charged Or Convicted Since 2019
Chicago Sun Times: Ed Burke is still in line for millions in payouts from pension, campaign funds after corruption conviction by and
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Chad Davis’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Aaron Katchen’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
