Excerpt:
Indicted former Ald. Ed Burke (14th Ward) will collect an annual city taxpayer-funded pension of more than $96,000, even as he awaits trial on federal corruption charges, according to records obtained by WTTW News.
Burke, 79, who did not seek a 15th term on the Chicago City Council, left office after 54 years on May 15.
When he stepped down, Burke was the longest serving member of the City Council, earning more than $120,408 annually.
Burke will start receiving pension payments of $8,027 per month in sometime in August, and they will continue for the rest of his life, according to records obtained by WTTW News from the Municipal Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago.
….
Burke is set to stand trial on Nov. 6 on 14 counts alleging the powerful politician repeatedly — and brazenly — used his elected office to force those doing business with the city to hire his private law firm. Burke has pleaded not guilty, and used millions of dollars of stockpiled campaign cash to fund his defense.
If Burke is convicted on those charges, he could lose his pension, since his conduct occurred as part of his official duties as an alderperson.
Author(s): Heather Cherone | Jared Rutecki
Publication Date: 15 Jun 2023
Publication Site: WTTW