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Closing arguments underway in Ed Burke trial
Former Ald. Ed Burke is facing 14 counts, including racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion.
CHICAGO - After weeks of testimony, closing arguments began Wednesday in the corruption trial of former Alderman Ed Burke.
He was the longest serving City Council member in Chicago’s history and is now facing 14 counts, including bribery, racketeering, and attempted extortion.
Federal prosecutors anticipate their closing arguments will take roughly six hours; by 5 p.m. Wednesday, they were about halfway done.
During those arguments Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur's message to the jury was that Burke had a pattern of holding his hand out to the very people he was elected to serve.
A key chapter of the trial is what federal prosecutors call a ‘shakedown’ between Burke and the owners of Southwest Side Burger King in 2017.
Burke is accused of holding up building and driveway permits in an attempt to get tax business from the franchise owners for his private law firm.
Federal prosecutors allege that Burke wouldn't sign off on the permits until he met face-to-face with the owners.
A photo presented in court shows Burke at an in-person meeting in the parking lot of that Burger King in June 2017.
On a recorded call, Burke is heard saying that he took the owners to lunch at the Beverly Country Club and was "playing nice with them," but they never got back to him.
Political aide, Peter Andrews, then replied: "I will play as hard ball as I can."
MORE: Chicago's political giant Ed Burke goes to trial: Allegations of bribery, racketeering and extortion
Federal prosecutors say the franchisees eventually obtained a building permit from the city and began their remodeling work – but Burke soon shut the construction down.
Closing arguments come after the defense, on Tuesday, called Danny Solis to the stand. He is the former alderman who wore a wire for the FBI. In exchange, Solis avoided prosecution.
The evidence Solis gathered was central to the racketeering case against Burke.
During an in-person meeting that Solis recorded, Burke was seen on the phone, then said, "Give Danny a call because I think he is going to be a main player in this whole process."
Burke and his co-defendants, Andrews and Charles Cui, will return to court Thursday morning.
Once federal prosecutors wrap up, the defense will begin their closing arguments.