Cook County a "Dark Pool of Political Corruption"
New study provides insight into 141+ years of political hijinks
Updated 8:28 AM CST, Fri, Feb 19, 2010
Cook County has been a "dark pool of political corruption" for more than a century, a new study by the University of Illinois at Chicago says.
Nearly 150 employees, politicians and contractors in the nation's second-largest county have been convicted on corruption charges since 1957, according to a report released Thursday by the university and the Better Government Association (.pdf)
The 33-page study gives a history of corruption, starting from 1869 when county commissioners were jailed for rigging a bid to paint City Hall. It also details hiring scandals, including some under Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Stroger hasn't been charged with any crime.
In the last 36 years, 31 sitting or former Chicago alderman have been convicted of corruption or other crimes. The last was Ike Carothers (29th), who earlier this month plead guilty to charges he accepted gifts in exchange for his votes on zoning issues.
The study says reforms could turn things around, including stricter campaign finance laws and amending a county ethics ordinance.
New study provides insight into 141+ years of political hijinks
Updated 8:28 AM CST, Fri, Feb 19, 2010
Cook County has been a "dark pool of political corruption" for more than a century, a new study by the University of Illinois at Chicago says.
Nearly 150 employees, politicians and contractors in the nation's second-largest county have been convicted on corruption charges since 1957, according to a report released Thursday by the university and the Better Government Association (.pdf)
The 33-page study gives a history of corruption, starting from 1869 when county commissioners were jailed for rigging a bid to paint City Hall. It also details hiring scandals, including some under Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Stroger hasn't been charged with any crime.
In the last 36 years, 31 sitting or former Chicago alderman have been convicted of corruption or other crimes. The last was Ike Carothers (29th), who earlier this month plead guilty to charges he accepted gifts in exchange for his votes on zoning issues.
The study says reforms could turn things around, including stricter campaign finance laws and amending a county ethics ordinance.
All American Conservative Comments:
President Obama is a product of all the corruption that has manifested into the national level. This country is going to go through what we, in Chicago, have been living in for so many years, political corruption at an unprecedented level which is the accepted method of doing business. It will be shocking to many and perhaps accustomed to by others. I sometimes wonder what our 'founding Fathers' must be think of our 'Socialist Mecca' in Illinois, Cook County.
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