U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald isn't spending all his time going after former governor and convicted felon Rod Blagojevich, his office also currently has its sights set closer to home. Dubbed "Operation Crooked Code," the feds are conducting an on going investigation of corruption in the City of Chicago Departments of Building and Zoning, and have already netted over two dozen indictments and 17 convictions. more ›

As some commenters pointed out in our Burris Book post, the U.S. Atttorney's office has called a 2 p.m. press conference to announce a new indictment of a political figure. The Sun-Times is reporting it'll be against Ald. Ike Carothers (29th), who also serves as the chairman of the City Council's police and fire committee. more ›

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who gave us the classic, "would make Lincoln roll over in his grave" line after Blago's arrest, is staying in Chicago. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin made the announcement in a letter addressed to Illinois Congressmen, saying, "...Patrick Fitzgerald has agreed to continue his service as U.S. attorney in the Northern District." Fitzgerald was confirmed in October 2001. [CBS 2] more ›

21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins accepted Jesse Jackson's endorsement for Cook County State's attorney Sunday at Jackson's South Side Rainbow/PUSH headquarters. more ›

Sangamon County Circuit Judge Patrick Kelley ruled Wednesday that Governor Blagojevich's administration must disclose subpoenas from federal prosecutors in the ongoing investigation into state hiring. When the governor's office denied a Freedom of Information Act request for copies of the subpoenas last year, the Better Government Association, a Chicago-based government watchdog group, sued. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is investigating charges that the Blagojevich administration traded state jobs for campaign contributions. more ›

That Mayor Daley. What a guy! When he isn't busy saving us from being the next Detroit, he's addressing the media with frustration and consternation. After a 48 - 0 vote in the council yesterday, Daley's plan to divorce the Office of Professional Standards from the Police Department was approved. As part of his new plan to "restore public confidence", Da Mare will be bringing Los Angeles attorney Ilana B.R. Rosenzweig in to be the... more ›

Chicagoist woke up to the headline "Feds subpoena governor's campaign fund records" in the Tribune. Oh no, we thought, this can't be good for ol' G-Rod. For a governor that has seen friends indicted, had a public feud with his father in-law that has resulted in charges of gross misconduct and confirmation by prosecutors that they are looking close and hard at very real accusations of wrong doing, this news certainly can't bode well. more ›

Late last week a juror in the George Ryan corruption trial was dismissed “for personal reasons that were in no way related to the merits of the case.” Over the weekend rumors swirled that there was a big personality conflict between the dismissed juror and the rest of the jury, but Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer today said personality conflict had nothing to do with it. So now we can all sit around and wonder what the “personal reasons” were. more ›

Not only has Journey’s Steve Perry been an inspiration to your World Champion White Sox, but now apparently Governor Blagojevich is taking a cue from the crooner’s sweet stylings. A federal investigation seeking to examine the hiring practices of Blago’s hiring practices is under way, and Blagojevich said yesterday that he welcomes the investigation because he has done nothing wrong, and wants to prove it to the good people of Illinois. In other words,... more ›

Did we miss something? Scott Fawell is the key witness in the prosecution’s case AGAINST George Ryan, right? more ›

What’s that? You’re sick of hearing about George Ryan’s corruption trial? And just think--the expected four month extravaganza is just beginning! more ›