Tag Archives: Dick Simpson

December 15, 2016

Corrupt Illinois strikes again!

Posted by rkcunningham
in Chicago, politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Corrupt Illinois strikes again!

Chicago alderman Willie Cochran received news of his impending federal indictment on corruption charges while attending a City Council meeting. You can’t say he skips out on work. You can say that the government is taking an interest in making … Continue reading →

August 9, 2016

“Serious crimes” keep Corrupt Illinois figure in prison

Posted by sfast
in american history, Chicago, Illinois / regional, law | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Serious crimes” keep Corrupt Illinois figure in prison

Inmate No. 40892-424, better known as former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, had hoped to he would be able to return home early. Those hopes were dashed by a the federal judge today, who decided to maintain a 14-year sentence on … Continue reading →

August 24, 2015

Digging out of Corrupt Illinois

Posted by sfast
in author commentary, authors, Chicago, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Digging out of Corrupt Illinois

Some might say it is just a drop in a very deep and very full bucket but lawmakers in Illinois state government have taken at least one measure to amend a cycle of political malpractice among elected officials. On Friday, … Continue reading →

July 21, 2015

The ‘face of Illinois corruption’ gets a new day in court

Posted by sfast
in american history, Chicago, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The ‘face of Illinois corruption’ gets a new day in court

A federal appeals court has overturned some of former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s convictions On Tuesday, July 21st, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out convictions on five of Blagojevich’s 18 counts of corruption charges. Many of these charges related … Continue reading →

June 26, 2015

A familiar face from Corrupt Illinois back in the headlines

Posted by sfast
in american history, Chicago, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on A familiar face from Corrupt Illinois back in the headlines

It’s Friday, so it must (again) be time for the Illinois Congressional indictment story of the week. The news of June 26, 2015 brings a familiar face back into the ignominious circle of Illinois politicians under either investigation or indictment. Federal … Continue reading →

June 17, 2015

A lot of rocks to look under in Illinois

Posted by sfast
in authors, Chicago, Illinois / regional, interviews | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A lot of rocks to look under in Illinois

Scandal and indictment have kept Corrupt Illinois authors Thomas J. Gradel and Dick Simpson busy. The investigation of Rep. Aaron Schock and indictment of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert have not only kept the authors phone ringing but the scandal-plagued … Continue reading →

March 26, 2015

The revolving door in Corrupt Illinois

Posted by sfast
in american history, authors, Chicago, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The revolving door in Corrupt Illinois

Jesse Jackson Jr. gained his Congressional seat by winning a special election to replace Rep. Mel Reynolds. Reynolds resigned after being convicted of sexual misconduct. Jackson himself resigned as the Representative of the Second Congressional District of Illinois facing charges … Continue reading →

March 23, 2015

Corrupt Illinois authors: Schock is not unique

Posted by sfast
in author commentary, authors, Chicago, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Corrupt Illinois authors: Schock is not unique

When Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock announced he’d be resigning from the U.S. Congress it was seen by many as yet another example of the state’s seamy political underbelly. As detailed in Corrupt Illinois: Patronage, Cronyism and Criminality, Aaron Schock is not … Continue reading →

March 11, 2015

Campaign cash and Corrupt Illinois

Posted by sfast
in author commentary, authors, Chicago, Illinois / regional, interviews | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Campaign cash and Corrupt Illinois

Political corruption isn’t just about under-the-table dealings. A major factor that contributes to a system that many see as broken in the state of Illinois and throughout the country is a culture of patronage that, although obfuscated, is perfectly legal. … Continue reading →

February 17, 2015

800 thousand dollars in shoe boxes

Posted by sfast
in author commentary, authors, Chicago, Illinois / regional, interviews | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 800 thousand dollars in shoe boxes

Authors Thomas J. Gradel and Dick Simpson document many colorful and dubious characters in their book Corrupt Illinois. An example (on page 1 of the book, even) would be former Illinois Secretary of State Paul Powell, who left nearly a … Continue reading →