FOP sticking with Burke
Ald. Edward Burke (14th) is facing a federal extortion charge that already has cost him the Finance Committee chairmanship that has been his political power base for decades.
But there’s one thing Chicago’s longest-serving alderman hasn’t lost: the loyal support of the Fraternal Order of Police.
The union representing rankand-file Chicago Police officers has endorsed Burke for re-election, even after a criminal complaint filed in federal court accused the alderman of shaking down a Burger King franchise owner for legal business and a $10,000 campaign contribution to County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
“We are supporting Ed Burke because he has supported us and because we, unlike the Tribune and Sun Times, believe a man is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty,” Martin Preib, the FOP’s second vice president, wrote in a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Furthermore, we believe that people should be tried in courts, not in [the] court of public opinion, as the acquittal of three officers last week and likely vote for a payout to the Englewood Four this week demonstrates.”
The FOP’s decision to stick with Burke is not surprising, given the alderman’s background and longstanding support for the police union.
Burke started his career as a Chicago Police officer assigned to the state’s attorney’s office. He’s also a former chairman of the City Council’s Police Committee and has written a book on Chicago Police officers killed in the line of duty.
In addition, the FOP needs all of the friends it can get in the City Council if it hopes to win approval of a new police contract to replace the one that expired more than 18 months ago.
Burke was one of only a few City Council votes the FOP could count on. He could not be reached for comment.
“It’s not surprising, given his longstanding relationship with the police. In the wake of the Laquan McDonald video unleashing, he still had the audacity to say on the Council floor that there were no institutional issues at the Chicago Police Department,” said Jaime Guzman, one of two serious challengers vying to end Burke’s 50year reign as 14th Ward alderman.
Aldermanic challenger Tanya Patino could not be reached for comment. Neither could newly-elected Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who has endorsed Patino.
Ald. Nick Sposato (38th), a staunch supporter of the FOP, applauded the police union for standing by Burke.
“He’s backed them in the past so they continue to support him,” Sposato said. “. . . Where I come from, we support our friends and stand behind them. I don’t condone wrongdoing. But I’m a big believer in the presumption of innocence. He has not been convicted of anything.”