Ray Long

Ray Long is a Chicago Tribune investigative reporter, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist with experience at state Capitol, City Hall, courts and county beats. He covered two governors who went to prison and a state senator who went to the White House. He wrote The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois' Velvet Hammer." 312-222-3448."

Tim Mapes, who served as Madigan's sharp-tongued chief of staff, was sentenced Monday after his perjury conviction last year.

Crime and Public Safety |
Tim Mapes, former aide to Speaker Michael Madigan, sentenced to 2 1/2 years for lying to federal grand jury

February 12, 2024 at 6:59 p.m.

Tim Mapes, who served as Madigan's sharp-tongued chief of staff, was sentenced Monday after his perjury conviction last year.

Residents represented by Republicans left wanting as Democrats who enjoy record majorities in General Assembly OK millions for pet projects.

Politics |
Democrats flexed muscles in passing out pork in Springfield

February 11, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Residents represented by Republicans left wanting as Democrats who enjoy record majorities in General Assembly OK millions for pet projects.

Prosecutors argued in a court filing that Tim Mapes lied to a federal grand jury in a cynical attempt to protect House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Crime and Public Safety |
Prosecutors want up to 5 years in prison for former Madigan aide Tim Mapes, while defense asks for community service

January 31, 2024 at 12:29 p.m.

Prosecutors argued in a court filing that Tim Mapes lied to a federal grand jury in a cynical attempt to protect House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Politics |
After conviction, ex-Ald. Ed Burke gets pension bump; former Speaker Mike Madigan now in line for hike before new trial date

January 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Only days after being convicted in a sweeping federal corruption case, former Ald. Ed Burke began the new year by collecting a bigger pension check courtesy of an automatic hike...

Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan's racketeering trial postponed 6 months pending Supreme Court decision in bribery case; 'Better to do it right than to do it twice,' judge says

News |
Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial postponed 6 months pending Supreme Court decision in bribery case; ‘Better to do it right than to do it twice,’ judge says

January 3, 2024 at 11:23 p.m.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's landmark racketeering trial was postponed Wednesday pending a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in a Chicago-area bribery case that could fundamentally alter what...

Crime and Public Safety |
Former Ald. Ed Burke’s verdict stands out in long arc of City Council crooks

December 24, 2023 at 3:40 p.m.

Generations of Chicagoans accustomed to grimy politics might view former Ald. Ed Burke's federal racketeering conviction last week as just another case in a long conga line of crooked aldermen....

El exconcejal Ed Burke, condenado por 13 de los 14 cargos en un histórico juicio federal por corrupción; el jurado condena a un coacusado y absuelve al otro

Uncategorized |
El exconcejal Ed Burke, condenado por 13 de los 14 cargos en un histórico juicio federal por corrupción; el jurado condena a un coacusado y absuelve al otro

April 15, 2024 at 3:37 p.m.

Hace siete semanas, los funcionarios del tribunal federal de Chicago utilizaron papel de estraza para tapar los grandes expositores de los pasillos que destacaban casos infames de corrupción política, con...

Ex-Ald. Ed Burke convicted on 13 of 14 counts at landmark federal corruption trial; jury convicts one co-defendant and acquits the other

Crime and Public Safety |
Ex-Ald. Ed Burke convicted on 13 of 14 counts at landmark federal corruption trial; jury convicts one co-defendant and acquits the other

December 23, 2023 at 12:04 a.m.

Seven weeks ago, officials at Chicago's federal courthouse used brown butcher paper to cover up large hallway displays highlighting infamous political corruption cases, featuring names like Walker, Ryan, Blagojevich and...

Crime and Public Safety |
Jury exits after second full day of deliberations in corruption trial of former Ald. Ed Burke

December 20, 2023 at 11:32 p.m.

Jurors in the racketeering trial of ex-Ald. Edward Burke were sent home late Wednesday after deliberating for a second full day without reaching a verdict. They are expected to resume...

Jurors in ex-Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial end first full day of deliberations after sending three notes; co-defendant hospitalized

Crime and Public Safety |
Jurors in ex-Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial end first full day of deliberations after sending three notes; co-defendant hospitalized

December 20, 2023 at 12:31 a.m.

Jurors held their first full day of deliberations Tuesday in the racketeering case of ex-Ald. Edward Burke, the longtime City Council powerhouse charged with abusing his substantial clout for his...

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