Illinois corruption update: Chicago Alderman Carothers under federal investigation

Ending what has been a dry spell for that corrupt body, the Chicago City Council, yesterday Ald. Arenda Troutman of the South Side was sentenced to four years in prison for bribery. She's the first Chicago alderman to go to prison in 10 years.

In the preceding three decades, the pace was much quicker, leading Tom Elia to write:

If the number of convicted and jailed Chicago alderman since 1972 was extrapolated to the US House, it would be as if over 240 congressman had gone to jail in the same period, or about 6 to 7 every year for 37 years.

Troutman is the 28th Chicago alderman to trade in pinstripes for an orange jump suit since 1972.

So this whole Roland Burris mess shouldn't be shocking to anyone who follow Chicago (Burris and Rod Blagojevich both live in the city) and Illinois politics.

This morning comes more news of alder-sleaze. West Side Alderman Isaac Carothers is under investigation by US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's office for alleged (surprise, surprise) "pay-to-play" activities.

Technorati tags: politics Democrats Illinois Politics corruption Chicago crime rod blagojevich