Chicago alderman for 50 years Ed Burke pleads not guilty to corruption

Can I bring up the need for term limits in Chicago again? And the rest of ILL-nois too?

From ABC Chicago:

Longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke went before a judge Tuesday morning and pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.

Alderman Burke was arraigned on federal racketeering and bribery charges. Last week, a grand jury handed down a 19-count indictment against the 14th Ward alderman. Burke and his top political aide Peter Andrews were named as defendants in a federal bribery case against Lake Forest developer Charles Cui.

Burke is accused of using his position as Finance Committee chair to solicit and extort business for his private tax law firm. Prosecutors said Cui used Burke's law firm for property tax appeal work as Cui tried to secure permits for a Northwest Side redevelopment.

Burke was secretly recorded by former Alderman Danny Solis, who wore a wire for the FBI. When developers of Chicago's Old Main Post Office allegedly didn't hire Burke's firm, Burke is allegedly heard saying "They can go (expletive) themselves."

Burke's wife, Anne, is a justice on Illinois' Supreme Court.

Chicago's newly sworn-in mayor, Lori Lightfoot, is calling on Ed Burke to resign.