Pre-Thanksgiving news roundup (Comments now open)
Wednesday, Nov 22, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller * Big story in the Tribune from Rick Pearson…
Go read the rest. One heck of a story by Pearson. * Another strong story from Pearson…
The family’s obituary is here. At Pate’s request, “no services will be held and burial will be private.” * Thrillist…
The video with US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s response…
From US Sen. Tammy Duckworth…
* Today is Oscar’s birthday! I probably shouldn’t have interrupted his birthday nap to take this pic, however… ![]() * More…
* Sun-Times | Burger King owner’s ‘gut feeling’ told him he should have hired Ed Burke’s law firm: The Texas businessman might have been new to Chicago when he visited one of his Burger King restaurants here in 2017, but he’d been given a little insight into the man he’d be meeting — that Ald. Edward M. Burke was one of the city’s “most powerful” politicians. So Shoukat Dhanani came to Chicago. He had lunch with Burke at a country club and let Burke tell him all about his property tax business. When it was over, Dhanani’s company secured a building permit and began to remodel its Burger King at 41st Street and Pulaski Road. All seemed well until that work was shut down late in 2017 — by Burke. Dhanani testified Tuesday that he had a “gut feeling” why the longtime City Council member intervened. * WTTW | ‘I’d Also Like to Get Some of His Law Business’: Jurors Hear Evidence of Former Ald. Ed Burke’s Alleged Attempt to Extort Burger King Owners: During that meeting, Burke mentioned — unprompted — that he owned a property tax law firm and how he’s been “very successful,” Dhanani testified. Dhanani said he believed Burke brought this up because he “thought maybe he’s wanting us to give him the property tax business,” even though they already had a company that handled such matters. “I thought it might make it easier for us to get our permits,” he testified, when asked why he would consider giving Burke’s firm his business. They also discussed driveway permits for the trucks, though Dhanani believed his business did not need such a permit because the driveway was shared by several businesses in an attached shopping center.f * Tribune | ‘I’d also like to get some of his law business’: Testimony in ex-Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial moves to alleged Burger King scheme: Three days later, Burke talked to political friend Rodney Ellis, a county commissioner in Texas, about Dhanani. “I’ll let him know how important you are,” Ellis told Burke on the call. “Well, you’re good to do that, but I’d also like to get some of his law business,” Burke responded. “I hear he’s got 300 Burger Kings here.” * Withers Syndication | Former IL Senator set to be tried for campaign fraud, tax evasion: A former Illinois State Senator and gubernatorial candidate agreed in court Monday to be tried by a judge next week rather than a jury in his federal campaign fraud case. William “Sam” McCann is accused of knowingly defrauding people who donated or contributed to his campaigns for Senator and then for governor, starting in 2015, and continuing through 2020. Monday’s bench trial will come just months after a public defender representing the indicted former GOP lawmaker withdrew from the case, saying their attorney-client relationship was broken. Another public defender was then appointed to represent McCann. Seven of the counts against McCann allege fraudulent misuse of campaign money and providing false reports to the IRS. * WCBU | Democrat ends campaign for 93rd House District ahead of filing window: In a statement, Zoey Carter said only that “the higher powers above have deemed it not quite my time yet.” Republican Travis Weaver is the current representative for the district, which includes Pekin, Edwards, and Kewanee. The district leans heavily conservative. Carter would have been the first out trans person in the Illinois General Assembly if elected. * Sun-Times | Dogs sickened by mystery respiratory illness, veterinarians urge vigilance: Symptoms include coughing, sneezing and discharge from the eyes or nose. While typically mild to moderate, the sickness can lead to complications such as pneumonia and in some cases even death, a local vet says. * NBC 5 | Gov. Pritzker tweets video of him taking shot of Malort when asked about the beverage: Gov. Pritzker took the shot with ease, not appearing to be thrown off at all by the beverage’s intense bitterness and openly embracing one of Chicago’s many unofficial symbols.
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