Burke era ending

City Council dean will not seek another term

By Tim Hadac

Facing a multiple-count federal indictment on corruption charges, 14^th Ward Ald. Edward M. Burke has decided against seeking re-election to the office he has held since 1969.

The longest serving alderman in Chicago history, Burke was a no-show on Monday at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners—the last day to file petitions to appear on the municipal primary set for Feb. 28.

Burke, who will celebrate his 79^th birthday later this month, offered no public explanation for his decision.

While history will be the judge of 14th Ward Ald. Edward M. Burke, the alderman has long described his legacy as that of a builder and developer, as an “alley alderman” who paid attention to details in the neighborhood, a supporter of law enforcement, a champion of immigrants, a student of Chicago history and more. But above all, he seemed most proud of his role as husband of 54 years to Anne Marie (McGlone) Burke, best known recently as Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice, as well as a founder of Special Olympics. –Supplied photo

His departure leaves two candidates in the race: Gage Park resident Raul Reyes, a Burke foot soldier; and Brighton Park resident Jeylu B. Gutierrez, a foot soldier of U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4^th). Burke and García have long been political adversaries.

Burke was indicted in 2019 and currently stands accused of 14 counts of such crimes as racketeering, bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion, attempted extortion, and the use of interstate commerce to further an unlawful activity.

Burke has pleaded not guilty. His trial has been postponed more than once. It is currently scheduled to begin in November 2023.

Another factor in his decision not to run may be the latest ward remap. Precincts on the northern edge of Garfield Ridge (west of Central Avenue and south of 51^st Street), which Burke succeeded in acquiring after a remap a decade ago—and which proved invaluable in his 2019 re-election—are no longer in the 14^th Ward.

While Burke was not talking earlier this week, several Southwest Siders were.

“Thank goodness,” said Gage Park resident Esmé Zurales. “I’m tired of an alderman whose office gives us the run-around at best and ignores us at worst when we contact them with even the smallest service request.”

Brighton Park resident Jose Cano-Vargas said Burke “should have resigned the day he was indicted. But he didn’t, so now we’ve had to live with an elected official under a cloud of suspicion. You put that together with how rude he was to Mayor Lightfoot when she first took office, and you see how we get nothing out of City Hall. He should have resigned; and if he cleared his name, OK, come back and run again.”

West Elsdon resident Steve Liguris disagreed.

“If you want to see what Ed Burke has meant, just look around,” he said. “Forty-third and Pulaski was dead. Burke brought that back. Forty-seventh and California was dead. Burke brought that back. Forty-ninth and Western was dead. Burke brought that back. That and at least a dozen other examples of Ed Burke bringing jobs to the Southwest Side. You won’t see that again.”

In other neighborhood races

A few things changed in local aldermanic races since last week.

In the 12^th Ward, Brighton Park resident Joseph E. Mercado filed on Monday afternoon. He will face McKinley Park resident Anabel Abarca and Brighton Park resident Julia M. Ramirez. Abarca, an attorney, has served as chief of staff to longtime 12^th Ward Ald. George Cardenas, who left office Wednesday to begin his newly-elected position with the Cook County Board of Review. Lightfoot has not named a replacement for Cardenas, who supports Abarca. She has until Jan. 29 to nominate someone.

In the 13^th Ward, two candidates made news by failing to file petitions. Garfield Ridge resident Jason Pullappilly, a Chicago Police detective who described himself as a “proud ally and defender of first responders” and who had the backing of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, was a no-show. He told the Greater Southwest News-Herald he doubted whether his signatures would survive an anticipated legal challenge from Madigan’s team. Also failing to file was Clearing resident Paul “Paulino” Villarreal Jr., a longtime Madigan critic, who offered no public statement this week.

The shakeout leaves incumbent Ald. Marty Quinn with just one challenger: Garfield Ridge resident Paul Bruton.

In the 22^nd Ward, Little Village resident Kristian R. Armendariz filed on Monday afternoon. He will go up against fellow Little Village resident Ald. Michael D. Rodriguez and Vittum Park resident Neftalie Gonzalez.

In the 23rd Ward, West Lawn community advocate Eddie Guillen, a foot soldier in Democratic Committeeman Michael J. Madigan’s organization, filed petitions in the 23^rd Ward and will face incumbent Ald. Silvana Tabares. Guillen’s entry is seen by some as Madigan trying to re-take control of the 23^rd Ward, which he had until he and Tabares parted ways more than a year ago.

Those objecting to the validity of a candidate’s nominating petitions have until 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 to do so.