The key phrase in this story is…… “Chicago aldermen……” that explains everything.
Edward Burke, alderman of the 14th Ward, has long enjoyed a reputation for honesty, even among his opponents. The implication that ALL Chicago politicians are crooks has not been true for some time.
Railroaders like to say outsiders’ knowledge level is low; the same could be said about those outsiders whose knowledge of Chicago politics is cliche-ridden, at best.
With the exception of 4 years, I have spent all of my life in the Chicago area. I would say that most of the cliches concerning Chicago politics are true…