Illinois corruption update: Ald. Carothers expected to be indicted

Despite the well-earned reputation of corruption among statewide politicians, Chicago's City Council is capital of Illinois corruption.

Like the New York Yankees, an unusual dry spell has inflicted this legislative body in the 21st century.

But things are looking up in Chicago. Last year Ald. Arenda Troutman (20th) pleaded guilty to bribery charges. And in about an hour, the very busy US Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Illinois will announce the indictment of Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th).

Chicago municipal elections are non-partisan, but both are Democrats.

According to CBS 2 Chicago this case, as is often the situtation, involves zoning.

In 2007, federal investigators subpoened seven years of Carothers' aldermanic expense records, aldermanic zoning changes, ordinances he introduced and correspondence with the mayor's office on zoning issues. They also subpoenaed comments he made before two city council committees.

Chicago zoning regulations are unbelievably strict. But aldermen, who have de facto power to grant zoning variances in their wards, are known to take care of these problems under the "right circumstances."

That's the Chicago Way.

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