NW Illinois News

Li Arellano, a candidate for the 37th State Senate District, has issued a response to the recent conviction of former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke on corruption charges. In his statement, Arellano expressed concern about Illinois' rank as the second most corrupt state in America, with only Louisiana recording more convictions.

"Illinois is the #2 most corrupt state in America (behind only Louisiana) as measured by convictions, and now we have another famous, powerful Illinois politician convicted for his crimes," Arellano stated. He further emphasized that "We need ethics reforms, we need good people who are term limited before they become corrupt, and we need more transparency."

The announcement of Burke’s guilty verdict on Dec. 21 marked a significant development. 

The longest-serving City Council member in Chicago’s history was convicted on 13 out of 14 counts, including racketeering, corrupt solicitation, use of an interstate facility for unlawful activity, and attempted extortion. The corruption schemes implicated Burke from 2016 to 2018, with the case exposing his efforts to exploit political power for personal gain. The case, which included a “shakedown” involving a Burger King, revealed Burke’s attempts to leverage his political power for personal gain. He’ll be sentenced in June 2024, according to Fox 32 Chicago.

In addition to his remarks, Arellano also shared a statement from the Illinois Republican Party (GOP), which viewed Burke’s conviction as another instance of corruption within prominent Illinois Democrats.

“Alderman Burke’s conviction is just the latest example of prominent Illinois Democrat corruption at the highest levels of government,” the Illinois GOP said on Facebook. “Years of machine electioneering, pay to play politics, insider dealings, and catering to special interests have driven working families out of Chicago and Illinois, increased the tax burden and regulations on those of us who have stayed to fight for a better state, and hugely benefited the powerful few. As the latest prominent Illinois Democrat to be convicted of official corruption, Alderman Burke will finally be held accountable much like Democrats Senator Sandoval, Senator Link, Governor Blagojevich, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr, and the 38 other Chicago Aldermen convicted in the last 50 years as we await Speaker Madigan’s corruption trial.”

Arellano's political career includes two terms as Mayor of Dixon. Shaw Local said he ran on a pledge to clean up the city following Rita Crundwell’s $54 million fraud and embezzlement conviction. Crundwell served as treasurer for Dixon from 1983 to 2012 during which time she stole funds largely used for her horse breeding operation.

The 37th State Senate District encompasses Lee, Bureau, Henry, DeKalb, Ogle, Rock Island, Whiteside, Stark, Peoria, Woodford and Marshall counties according to ilga.gov. State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) currently represents the district, who announced in August that he would not seek a third term.