Property tax appeals key to Burke’s corruption trial

Former Alderman Edward Burke’s day in federal court has finally arrived, nearly five years after the FBI raided his City Hall and ward offices, sending his 50-year run as publicly elected power broker with a private law practice specializing in property tax appeals into a downward spiral.

Burke, who served as Chicago’s 14th ward alderman from 1969 to 2023, is set for trial Monday, where he faces 14 charges of racketeering, bribery and extortion, the Chicago Tribune reported. He has pleaded not guilty, and while Burke’s attorneys contend that he will be vindicated, the ex-alderman faces up to two decades in prison if convicted.

The federal charges against Burke are centered on his alleged misuse of his City Hall position to steer business toward his law firm, Klafter & Burke, which specializes in cases related to property tax appeals before the Cook County Assessor’s Office and Board of Review.

Throughout his career, Burke’s property-tax law business raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. He allegedly benefited large property owners, potentially causing small businesses to pay more in property taxes. 

In one notable instance, Burke tried to force his way in on property-tax work for the $800 million renovation of the old Chicago post office, prosecutors claim. He expressed contempt after the developers rejected him, saying they “can go f***k themselves,” in a secretly recorded conversation in 2017. 

In addition, Burke allegedly attempted to extort the owners of a Burger King in his ward to send their legal work to his law firm, the outlet reported. 

Real estate developer and fellow defendant Charles Cui has also been accused of bribing Burke in exchange for help with a sign permit and financing deal for a project on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

Burke’s attorneys are working to prevent any mention of his involvement in securing property tax breaks for Donald Trump’s Chicago skyscraper during the trial, although prosecutors have not expressed any intent to discuss Burke’s work for Trump. Burke also aims to exclude secret recordings from his trial, including conversations with disgraced former Alderman Danny Solis and former city planning commissioner David Reifman. 

Burke has spent nearly $3 million from his campaign funds on legal fees since 2018. He also used campaign funds to pay legal bills for a co-defendant and consulting fees, further complicating the case.

The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks.

—Quinn Donoghue 

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