Attorney and Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was convicted of racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion in December of 2023. His crimes were described as “a city hall shakedown scheme designed to enrich his law firm” as he was accused of blocking permits in his role as Chicago’s longest serving alderman if companies did not send their tax appeal work to his firm, Klafter & Burke.
Despite the conviction, the Illinois Supreme Court is unable to act on a petition for an interim suspension as requested by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Turns out Burke is just too well-connected.
A majority of the state supreme court recused themselves from hearing the case against Burke. Burke’s wife, Anne Burke, served on the Illinois Supreme Court from 2006 until she retired in November 2022. As reported by the ABA Journal:
At least four of the Illinois Supreme Court’s seven justices are needed for a quorum. Four of the state supreme court’s present justices were on the Illinois Supreme Court when Anne Burke was there, but there is no indication which justices recused themselves.
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https://abovethelaw.com/2024/03/convicted-lawyer-too-well-connected-to-face-discipline/
