South Central Reporter

Illinois State Rep. Wayne Rosenthal raised awareness of former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke's two-year sentence and $2 million fine, stating that "Burke may be allowed to pay the fine with his campaign funds." He made this statement in a June 25 Facebook post.

"Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was sentenced to two years in prison and a $2 million fine yesterday in his corruption case," said A Rosenthal, State Representative, according to Facebook. "Unfortunately, Burke may be allowed to pay that fine with his campaign funds, a provision we are fighting to change in Illinois."

In December 2023, Burke was found guilty in a federal corruption case. According to an ABC7 report published on Dec. 21, 2023, he had been charged with 14 counts, including racketeering, attempted extortion, and bribery. He was found guilty on 13 of the 14 counts.

Screenshot of Rep. Wayne Rosenthal's June 25 Facebook post | Rep. Wayne Rosenthal's Facebook page

According to ABC7, Burke was found guilty of using his position to coerce developers of the Old Post Office into bringing their business to his law firm. He also attempted to extort the Field Museum for a close friend’s benefit and tried to extort the owners of a Burger King to steer tax appeal business to his law firm.

In his Facebook post, Rosenthal shared a link to a WTTW piece on Burke's sentencing, which took place on June 24. The WTTW piece was published the same day. Burke was sentenced to two years in federal prison and fined $2 million. WTTW noted that the sentence is "significantly less than the eight years federal sentencing guidelines called for, and the 10 years prosecutors sought." His sentence is also significantly less than those of former Governor Rod Blagojevich, who served eight years of a 14-year sentence, and former Governor George Ryan, who served more than five years of a six-and-a-half-year sentence.

Burke, who had served the 14th Ward and was known as the longest-serving member of the Chicago City Council in the city’s history, spoke to U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Kendall before sentencing. "I’m sorry to see that career end like this. I regret the pain and sorrow I have caused my dear friends and family," said Burke. He showed no emotion as he was sentenced while his wife, Anne Burke, former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, cried with her face in her hands.

Rosenthal has represented the 108th House District since 2022; however, this is not his first experience in state government. He was initially elected in 2010 and resigned in 2015 to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources until 2019. A retired brigadier general with over 3,000 hours accumulated in the F-4 Phantom from graduating from USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Rosenthal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Sangamon State University. According to his official biography, he has managed a family farm with his three sons since 1990.