Federal prosecutors hinted Tuesday at the portrait of Chicago government they plan to paint for jurors in the upcoming corruption trial of ex-Ald. Edward M. Burke, having an expert describe City Council members to a judge as “mini-mayors” with a “hyper-local ward focus.”
Along the way, the extent of Burke’s power at City Hall emerged as a potential point of contention — with Burke’s lawyers suggesting his power fell short of an actual Chicago mayor.
