This one from the Chicago Tribune caught my eye because of Alderman Cochran’s immediate predecessor in the 20th ward, Arenda Troutman. Her defense in an earlier corruption trial was that, although she did accept payments from developers for her influence in approving plans for their shopping mall, in fact – since the site of the proposed development was across the street from the edge of her district – she didn’t actually have jurisdiction. So, the joke was on them! Guess the jury didn’t appreciate this classic line of South Side legal reasoning. Go figure.
Gotta love Chicago – “The City That Works.”
Also gotta love the 20th, which soon will boast nearly as many jailed former aldermen as there are jailed former Illinois governors. How many is that, you ask? The correct answer is “4.” Bonus points if you can name any of them other than the immortal Rod Blagojevich. (Answer, for those that just can’t contain their curiosity, here.)
More than the number of impeached presidents, too…