Edward M. Burke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed Burke
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Burke in 2009
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| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 14th ward |
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| In office March 14, 1969 – May 15, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph P. Burke |
| Succeeded by | Jeylú Gutiérrez |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Michael Burke
December 29, 1943 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Anne McGlone
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Daniel J. Burke (brother) |
| Education | DePaul University (BA, JD) |
Edward Michael Burke (born December 29, 1943) is an American politician. He served as an alderman for Chicago's 14th ward from 1969 to 2023. An alderman is like a city council member who helps make decisions for a specific area, or "ward," in the city.
Burke was a member of the Democratic Party. He was first elected to the Chicago City Council in 1969. He represented a part of Chicago's Southwest Side. He was also the chairman of the Council's Committee on Finance. This made him a very powerful person in Chicago politics. Some people called him Chicago's "most powerful alderman." He was also named one of the "100 Most Powerful Chicagoans" by Chicago Magazine.
Edward Burke is the longest-serving alderman in Chicago's history. He served for a record 14 terms. He decided not to run for re-election in 2023. In late 2023, Burke was found guilty by a federal jury on several serious charges. These charges included racketeering, bribery, and extortion. In June 2024, he was sentenced to two years in prison and a $2 million fine.
Burke was also a lead partner at a law firm called Klafter & Burke. This firm helped people with property tax appeals. His wife, Anne M. Burke, was a Justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Edward Burke grew up in Chicago. His father, Joseph P. Burke, was a policeman and later an alderman for the same 14th Ward. This means Edward followed in his father's footsteps in local politics.
Edward went to Visitation Grammar School and graduated from Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1961. He earned a bachelor's degree from DePaul University in 1965. After college, he worked as a Chicago police officer for three years. While working, he also studied law at DePaul University College of Law. He earned his law degree in 1968 and became a lawyer. He married Anne Marie that same year.
Becoming a Politician
Edward Burke became involved in local politics after his father passed away. He first became a Democratic Committeeman for the 14th Ward. This is a local party leader position. At 24, he was the youngest person in Chicago to hold this role.
Serving as Alderman
In 1969, Burke was elected alderman for the 14th Ward in a special election. He won by a large number of votes. He was sworn into office by Mayor Richard J. Daley.
Over the years, Burke was re-elected many times. He often ran without anyone challenging him. This shows how strong his support was in his ward. He served as alderman for 54 years, making him the longest-serving alderman in Chicago's history.
Leading the Finance Committee
One of Burke's most important roles was being the chairman of the city council's Committee on Finance. This committee handles almost all of the city's money matters, including spending and taxes. It's a very powerful position, sometimes called the "No. 2 spot in city government." As chairman, Burke controlled a large staff and budget.
"Council Wars" Era
In the 1980s, Chicago had a period called "Council Wars." This happened when Harold Washington became Chicago's first African-American mayor. Edward Burke, along with other aldermen, formed a group that often disagreed with Mayor Washington's plans. This created a lot of political tension in the city council. Burke was a key leader in this group.
After Mayor Washington passed away, Burke continued to be a strong voice in the city council. He later regained his position as Finance Committee chairman when Richard M. Daley became mayor.
Staffing and Ethics Concerns
Over the years, there were investigations into how Burke's Finance Committee hired staff. Some people were accused of being "ghost payrollers." This means they were paid by the city but did little or no work. Burke denied knowing about these issues. These investigations led to changes in the city's ethics rules to prevent such problems.
Burke also faced criticism because his private law firm represented clients who did business with the city. This raised questions about possible conflicts of interest. He often chose not to vote on issues that involved his law clients. This is called "recusing" himself.
Key Initiatives
Burke was involved in many city initiatives. For example, he sponsored a resolution that officially cleared Mrs. O'Leary's cow of causing the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He also supported laws to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke and to require pet-spaying.
In 1999, Burke held a public hearing about The Jerry Springer Show, a popular TV show produced in Chicago. He questioned whether the fights on the show were real or fake. This hearing attracted a lot of media attention.
Longest-Serving Alderman
In 2014, Edward Burke became the longest-serving alderman in Chicago's history. He served for 46 years, breaking a record that had stood since 1938. His long time in office and his ability to build strong alliances made him a very influential figure in Chicago politics.
Other Political Attempts
Burke tried to become Cook County State's Attorney in 1980 but did not win the election. In 1988, he also considered running for Mayor of Chicago after Mayor Washington's death. However, he later decided not to run and supported Richard M. Daley instead.
Property Tax Law Work
Besides being an alderman, Burke was a lead partner at a law firm called Klafter and Burke. This firm specialized in helping clients appeal their property taxes. This meant they worked to get lower property tax bills for their clients. The firm was very successful in this area.
In 2002, Burke helped pass a city rule that made it easier for people to get property tax reductions. His firm won millions of dollars in property tax refunds for clients over the years. In 2019, Burke stepped down as a partner from the law firm.
Personal Life
Edward Burke is married to Anne M. Burke. She was a Justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. The Burkes live in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago. They have several adult children.
Burke's brother, Daniel J. Burke, was also involved in politics as a state representative. The Burke family has been called one of "Illinois' most influential families" because of their long history in public service.
Edward Burke is known for his sharp, conservative suits. He was even named "Best Dressed Alderman" by the Chicago Tribune in 1981. He is also a licensed private detective.
Images for kids
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Burke at his desk in his ward office.
See also
- Political corruption in Illinois
- List of Chicago aldermen since 1923
