Feds Investigate City Hall: Sex, Drugs, and Not-So-Happy Endings?

On Background - NEWEST LOGO
On Background - NEWEST LOGO

Feds Investigate City Hall: Sex, Drugs, and Not-So-Happy Endings?

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A second alderman is in the crosshairs of federal authorities. Last week, Ald. Danny Solis (25th) was revealed to be wearing a wire in the case against powerful Alderman Ed Burke (14th). This week, a series of stories from the Chicago Sun-Times explains why Solis’ has been cooperating with the FBI. Turns out, the feds built a case against him in 2014, involving Viagra, a massage parlor, and a party at Oprah’s former farm, as well as lots of personal spending from campaign accounts. The 120-page affidavit obtained by the Sun Times also outlined a meeting Solis arranged between a Chinese hotel developer and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Jon Seidel, reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times, joins host Becky Vevea with the latest.

Reporting by Jon Seidel, Fran Spielman, Tina Sfondeles, Tim Novak, and Mark Brown of the Chicago Sun-Times. Editing by Alex Keefe. Production by Becky Vevea.

Each week at On Background, WBEZ’s team of political reporters brings you the backstory on the week’s big story. Host Becky Vevea and guests take you inside the back rooms of Chicago and Illinois government to better understand the people, places and forces shaping today’s politics.