Burke Stops Short of Endorsing Chico, But May As Well Have

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 12, 2011 10:13PM

14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke pretty much let attendees at a Society of Midland Authors meeting know who he's siding with in the mayoral election, even though he didn't call it a formal endorsement. Burke said during a panel discussion last night that he'd be "hard-pressed not to be for Gery Chico." Although Burke stopped short of uttering the word "endorsement," he cited his reasons for supporting Chico.

“Gery Chico worked for me when he was going to law school at night. His family comes from the 14th Ward. He’s been a supporter of mine for 30 years, and I’ve got a ward that’s 85 percent Hispanic.”

It's classic "you've got my back, I've got yours" Chicago politics at work. It could also be the slightest sign that Burke is engaging in territorial pissings, giving us food for thought as to whether he would cooperate with a Mayor Emanuel at City Hall.