Office Hours with Ernest Wilkins

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Office Hours with Ernest Wilkins
#14: Ed Burke: The Movie
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#14: Ed Burke: The Movie

Apr 18, 2019
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Office Hours with Ernest Wilkins
Office Hours with Ernest Wilkins
#14: Ed Burke: The Movie
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Office Hours is a newsletter about culture and connections. If you like what you read, tell a friend to sign up for the newsletter.

Edward M. Burke is the Alderman of Chicago’s 14th Ward. He’s been serving in Chicago City Council since 1969, making him the longest-serving alderman in the history of the city. 

On November 29, 2018, Burke's office at Chicago City Hall and his Aldermanic ward office were seized by federal agents, who ejected the staff and papered over the doors and windows. 

On January 3, 2019, Burke was charged with attempted extortion for allegedly using his political office to drive business for his law firm.

On February 6, 2019, Burke won his re-election bid for a 13th term in office with 53% of the vote despite being under federal investigation.

Depending on who you ask, he’s either the poster boy for Chicago corruption, the living and breathing embodiment of The Chicago Machine. A product of the Boss Daley era that not only changed the Democratic Party, but American politics in general. 

His life story is already a movie script, so let’s have some fun and cast the Ed Burke movie!!! 

I think this movie has to start in the mid-1960s when Burke first gets into the law business and makes his debut into Chicago politics. Act 2 is his rise to power, running the Council’s Finance Committee while expanding the empire throughout clashes and cooperation with 5 mayors (Daley 1, Bilandic, Byrne, Washington, Daley 2, and Emanuel) and various moments throughout Chicago history (COUNCIL WARS, anyone?). Since this is fantasy, let’s really have fun with it.

Our main players: 

Ed and Anne Burke:

Boss Daley: 

Ed Vrdolyak:

Mayor Michael Bilandic 

Mayor Jane Byrne

Mayor Harold Washington

Jesse Jackson (of COURSE Jesse has to be in the movie)

Mayor Eugene Sawyer (did you know he was actually the second black man to serve as Mayor of Chicago after Mayor Washington’s death?) 

Mayor Richard M. Daley

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Mike Madigan 

Old Burke: 

Leave comments with your picks on when should play whom!

YOUR HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:

  • This 2014 Good article was the first documented usage of “Xiennial", a term you will see starting to gain momentum culturally to the point I'd bet it gets added to the dictionary in the next two years. I personally define the Xiennials as being born between 1977 and 1985. 

  • 30 of the original pitch decks for successful startups including AirBnb, Linkedin, Youtube, Buzzfeed and more and what you can learn from them.

TUNES: 

Hawthorne Radio

Ann Arbor, Michigan’s own Mayer Hawthorne does a mix show filled with a ton of new and old music. He usually plays at least one insane exclusive every episode and does themes based on how he’s feeling or cultural events. Perfect for getting out of that “I want to listen to new music” rut we all go through from time to time.

If you enjoyed this story, forward to a friend and tell them to sign up for the newsletter!
Office Hours is written by Ernest Wilkins. Contact me here

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#14: Ed Burke: The Movie
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