14th Ward Alderman, Ed Burke, did not file nominating petitions by yesterday’s deadline. He is not running for reelection. Burke, 78, is the longest-serving alderman in Chicago history. He has been an alderman for over fifty years, since 1969, surpassing alderman “Bath House” John Coughlin, who served for 46 years, from 1892 to his death in 1938.
Burke decided not to run for a 15th term. Like Coughlin, history will remember Burke as one of the most influential and powerful politicians in Chicago. Like Coughlin, Burke’s influence and power faded to a mere shadow. Coughlin’s downfall in stature was due to age, health, and changing political winds. Burke’s downfall was caused by federal indictments. Burke was known as the dean of the City Council.
Ald. Ray Lopez (15th), Burke’s ally and City Council seatmate, said Burke’s outsized “footprint” is all over legislation that has “impacted everyday life” in Chicago. That includes a trailblazing ban on indoor smoking and Burke’s campaign to mandate carbon monoxide detectors and defibrillators and help championing a ban on phosphates.
“I don’t think anyone truly understands the magnitude that was Ed Burke in terms of shaping the laws and creating the city of Chicago that we know,” Lopez said. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Burke and Coughlin shared a peculiar trait, their sartorial choices. Both were known for their dress. Burke was on several of Chicago’s best-dressed lists, noted for his accessorizing. Coughlin was known for his loud, colorful sartorial style.
Burke shared another trait with Coughlin. He has been embroiled in corruption controversies for decades. The chickens came home to roost in 2018 when the U.S. Department of Justice indicted him for corruption and the following year for racketeering. Part of his ward was gerrymandered, and they carved his vote-rich precincts out. A double body blow to the formidable politician.
Like Coughlin, history will remember Burke as one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, alderman and politician in Chicago. Until his indictment, Burke served for decades as the Chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee. It was the most powerful position on the City Council. The committee had the largest budget and controlled a $100 million city Workers Compensation Fund.
Burke leaves behind a mixed legacy. He championed many ordinances for the betterment of Chicago. He was also a brutal political infighter, most noted for his participation in blocking most of former Mayor Harold Washington’s agenda. This was and still is a stain the African American political community remembers and will not forgive.
Chicago politics is cutthroat warfare. Burke was a master combat tactician and fighter. He knew and used city council rules to fight aldermen and mayors. He usually came out victorious. Times changed, politics changed, and the City Council changed. Many members were not born when Burke first took office in 1969.
Burke prides himself on being a Chicago historian. His historical legacy is mixed. He is known for championing causes and ordinances for the city’s betterment while fending off accusations of corrupt practices and abuse of his formidable power and knowledge of City Council rules.
Like many Chicago politicians, Burke was one who Chicagoans loved to hate and hated to love. There was the good Eddie and the bad Eddie. He fought good and evil battles, usually winning both. He was a man of power, prestige, and derision. According to news reports, he is no longer the center of attention. His council seat is next to the exit of the chamber. He is the first one out the door when meetings end. He sits silently and does not use his knowledge of City Council rules or oratorical skills to thwart policies he may disagree with. Burke does not battle the mayor when she flaunts city council rules, running roughshod over alderpersons.
Burke is married to retired Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke. Four years ago, during a speech at the City Club of Chicago, “Choking back tears, the normally stoic alderman said, “For half a century, Anne has been my partner in this life through thick and thin. How blessed I have been. Anne, I love you. Thank you for being my partner in life.” (Chicago Sun-Times)