Entered Office 1969, winning a special election after the incumbent, his father Joseph Burke, died in office
Previous Life Cop and law school student
Patrons Joseph Burke
Strengths Roughly $7 million in his campaign war chest. Seat on the Democratic Party judicial slate-making committee ensures that Cook County judges owe him their jobs. Wife is state supreme court justice Anne Burke. Lucrative private law firm represents clients doing business with the city. Chairs the council’s powerful finance committee, controlling billions of dollars in deals and contracts.
Favorite Joke “I feel a little like Zsa Zsa Gabor’s ninth husband on their wedding night. I know what I’m supposed to do, but I’m not quite sure how to make it interesting,” he’s fond of saying after 38 years of budget hearings.
Prospects More of the same: getting rich, controlling contracts, retelling jokes, and letting his old rival Daley run the rest of the show
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