Good afternoon, Chicago.
Whether a job can be considered “property” and what constitutes an “official act” were the focus of court arguments today in ex-Chicago Ald. Edward Burke’s corruption case, where Burke’s attorneys made a longshot bid for a retrial on some counts and an outright acquittal on others.
Burke, 80, was convicted by a jury in December of racketeering conspiracy and a dozen other counts for using the clout of his elected office to try to win private law business from developers and to pressure the Field Museum to hire his goddaughter. He was acquitted on one count of conspiracy to commit extortion related to the redevelopment of a Burger King.
Burke is scheduled to be sentenced June 24. Before that, however, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall must deal with a motion by Burke’s attorneys to toss out portions of the jury’s decision and acquit the former alderman on nine counts.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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For special education students, transitional schools bridge the gap between high school and full-time employment
After four years of high school and three years at Southside Occupational Academy, a public special education school in Chicago, Heaven Lockhart donned a royal blue gown and walked across the stage to receive her high school diploma. Read more here.
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Column: Montez Sweat was last heard lauding the Chicago Bears’ foundation. My, how that’s changed.
Sweat is one of nine starters returning on defense but there are plenty of new teammates to meet and learn about on offense. Read more here.
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Chicago filmmaking couple and a local theater family made the new movie ‘Ghostlight’ — along with an admirable dose of collaboration
It’s a tender comedy-drama starring Keith Kupferer, a veteran Chicago stage actor as well as a regular TV and sometime film presence, in a rare leading role. Read more here.
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Hunter Biden’s exes are called as witnesses in his federal gun trial to detail his drug use
Hunter Biden’s ex-wife and a former girlfriend testified today in his gun trial about finding his crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia as prosecutors sought to show he still had a substance abuse problem when he filled out a form to buy a firearm. Read more here.
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