Burke Power Couple Lists Southwest Side Home in Chicago

A longtime Chicago political power base is hitting the market.

Former Alderman Edward Burke and his wife, retired Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, listed their five-bedroom home in the Southwest Side’s West Elsdon neighborhood for $1.5 million. The listing comes three years after Edward Burke’s conviction on racketeering, bribery and extortion charges, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Crain’s once dubbed the Burkes among Illinois’ most influential families, citing Anne Burke’s tenure on the state’s high court and Edward Burke’s 54-year run as alderman of the 14th Ward. The Burkes maintain another home in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, according to the outlet.

The 5,760-square-foot home at 3914 West 51st Street in Chicago was built in 2005. Set on a triangular lot backing up to railroad tracks, the gated property includes five bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms, along with an elevator and multiple high-end finishes. The residence features radiant-heated floors, a second-floor living room with a fireplace and a library wall with a rolling ladder, plus a kitchen outfitted with Sub-Zero appliances, double ovens and two dishwashers, according to the listing.

The upper level is anchored by a primary suite with a Jacuzzi tub, separate shower and private balcony. Outdoor amenities include a rooftop deck and a second-floor garden with its own fireplace. A heated three-car garage rounds out the property.

Property records show Anne Burke purchased the home on a 0.1-acre lot for $900,000 in 2005 from a developer tied to Edward Burke’s longtime business associate. The home carried a roughly $14,900 property tax bill in 2024, according to the outlet.

While the listing agent did not respond to requests for comment, the sale offers a rare glimpse into high-end inventory on the Southwest Side, where million-dollar listings are less common than in Chicago’s North Side lakefront neighborhoods.

— Eric Weilbacher