Powerful Chicago Council Member Charged in Federal Probe

Ed Burke
Photographer: M. Spencer Green/AP Photo

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By Associated Press

January 3, 2019 at 7:05 PM UTC

Updated on

January 4, 2019 at 3:02 AM UTC

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Chicago (AP) -- One of the most powerful and longest-serving City Council members in Chicago history appeared in federal court Thursday on a charge that he tried to shake down a major fast-food restaurant chain seeking city remodeling permits.

Alderman Ed Burke, 75, is charged with one count of attempted extortion for conveying to company executives in 2017 that they'd get the permits only if they signed on as clients at Burke's private property-tax law firm in Chicago, a 37-page complaint unsealed on Thursday says.