Chicago City Wire

Cook County Democratic Chairman Toni Preckwinkle says she plans to strip longtime Ald. Ed Burke (14th) of his powers as chairman of the judicial slate after he was hit with accusations of trying to manipulate and steer business at O’Hare Airport.

Preckwinkle, now running for mayor of Chicago, told the Sun-Times she finds allegations leveled against Burke by Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans to be “profoundly troubling.”

Among them are claims that Burke directly involved himself in trying to make sure that United Maintenance was paid on time for janitorial work done at the airport and an attempt to help Clear Channel better control all indoor advertising done at O’Hare.

14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke

According to the Sun-Times, it’s unknown if any of the developments played a role in Burke’s offices being raided at least three times over the past month by law enforcement, including federal authorities.

“The fact that the FBI has chosen to get involved, basically in the middle of his election race says that there are very serious allegations that are under investigation,” said Preckwinkle, who is also calling on Burke to step down as chairman of the city council’s finance committee. “I don’t see any reason why a member of the City Council should be so intimately involved in the operations of one of the departments.”

While there has long been friction between Burke and Evans, the alderman and Preckwinkle have been known to be close enough for him to have once hosted a fundraiser for her at his home.

“I’m grateful for the contributions that I’ve received,” she said when pressed with the question if she now plans to return any of the contributions collected. “It’s unclear whether or not he will be charged and found guilty. If he is, I’ll return the money.”

Preckwinkle also publicly threw her support behind a plan to strip Burke, the city’s longest-serving alderman, control over the city’s $100 million-a-year worker’s compensation program.