Former alderman Isaac "Ike" Carothers, who pleaded guilty to bribery charges earlier this year, was sentenced today to 28 months in federal prison. Carothers has been ordered to report August 23 to begin serving his sentence. While which prison he serves time at ultimately rests with the Bureau of Prisons, the recommendation from the presiding judge was Yankton, South Dakota. Carothers admitted to one count each of accepting a bribe and filing a false federal income tax return. As part of his deal, four wire and mail fraud charges were dropped. Calvin Boender, the developer charged with bribing Carothers, was found guilty in March. Carothers, who served the 29th ward, was replaced by state Rep. Deborah Graham. more ›

Deputy Police Supt. Dan Dugan wants the committee to be patient, as Weis is researching how realignment has taken place in other major cities and that it's a process that "can't be rushed." Police Committee Chairman Isaac Carothers (29th) wants Weis to act more quickly on the matter, otherwise Carothers says he will push a motion through City Council to force Weis to realign the beats by a certain date. Given that Weis has no problem ignoring orders from a federal judge, good luck with that, Alderman. [S-T, Trib] more ›

Just as former alderman Arenda Troutman was sentenced to four years in prison for bribery/fraud charges this week, it looks like U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is focusing his attention on another City Council member: Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th). The Sun-Times is on the case: more ›

Cartoon for Chicagoist by Tim Daly more ›

In the wake of the recent uptick in violence, including last week's Taste of Chicago shootings, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis is being called to face the music by Alderman (29th) and Police Committee Chairman Isaac Carothers.

"He's inexperienced, and it's his first Taste," Carothers said. "I want to see what his response is going to be to deal with this violence, not only at the Taste, but with this unprecedented violence in this city—13 percent up murders, shootings are up, violence is up, every category is up—and he has to respond to that."

Former Chicago Police sergeant John Herman faces a minimum of 24 years in prison after he was convicted of rape this week. Herman had a bench trial rather than a jury trial, and Judge Joseph Claps not only found Herman guilty, he also had some additional harsh words for the rapist. "The defendant's testimony is unreasonable and nothing short of perjury," Claps said. Claps also didn't believe two officers who testified on Herman's behalf, saying... more ›

Mayor Daley has finally announced his pick for new police superintendent: J.P. “Jody” Weis, an FBI agent who was most recently the head of the Philadelphia field office. The City Council still has to approve the appointment, but given that Ald. Isaac Carothers, chairman of the City Council's police committee, says "maybe going to the outside might bring a fresh look — a guy who knows no one and owes no one,” is anyone worried?... more ›

The 29th Ward Alderman Isaac Carothers sure is entertaining as he explains why he voted in favor of the Mayor's budget and tax plan.... more ›

We have an idea for how to end unemployment in this town forever. Just introduce everyone to Todd Stroger. He's still a big fan of hooking his pals up with jobs, like Patty Young, girlfriend of Stroger buddy Commissioner William Beavers. Once the Sun Times started sniffing around, Young left her spot in the county purchasing department. Are Illinois's state tests too easy? Depends who you ask. Lance Briggs pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor... more ›

Alderman Isaac Carothers (29th) has made the controversial and unlikely recommendation that Chicagoans should start paying a trash collection fee. In the face of a $220 million budget gap, Carothers says that we need to start shelling out. more ›