
Former Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke’s defense team may argue at trial that the onetime powerhouse politician was busy, distracted and not as laser-focused on various schemes as federal prosecutors have long alleged.
Hints of that defense began to emerge during a hearing Friday in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall. The judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys are hustling to prepare for Burke’s long-awaited trial, set to begin in less than a month on Nov. 6.