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Gangs and Politicians in Chicago: An Unholy Alliance
Chicago Magazine ^ | January 2012 | David Bernstein and Noah Isackson

Posted on 04/25/2013 6:32:20 PM PDT by george76

LAWBREAKERS, LAWMAKERS: In some parts of Chicago, violent street gangs and pols quietly trade money and favors for mutual gain. The thugs flourish, the elected officials thrive—and you lose.

...

both law enforcement and gang sources say, is that some politicians ignore the gangs’ criminal activities. Some go so far as to protect gangs from the police, tipping them off to impending raids or to surveillance activities—in effect, creating safe havens in their political districts. And often they chafe at backing tough measures to stem gang activities, advocating instead for superficial solutions that may garner good press but have little impact.

The paradox is that Chicago’s struggle to combat street gangs is being undermined by its own elected officials. And the alliances between lawmakers and lawbreakers raise a troubling question: Who actually rules the neighborhoods—our public servants or the gangs?

...

No account of city politics and gangs would be complete without mentioning the federal case against the former 20th Ward alderman Arenda Troutman. When Troutman pleaded guilty in 2008 to tax fraud and taking payoffs from developers, the case made for lurid headlines. It wasn’t necessarily because of her crimes—bribe-taking and tax-cheating aldermen have been a dime a dozen in the City Council. Rather, it was because of Troutman’s romantic relationship with Donnell Jehan, a leader of the Black Disciples, one of the city’s most ruthless and feared gangs, which ran a $300,000-a-day drug operation on the South Side.

Troutman’s case serves as a vivid example of how gangs and public officials can be a toxic mix.... members to do political work for Troutman. Records show that they had also given her thousands in cash, from drug profits and the gang’s street tax.

...

Troutman was not the only politician to get into bed with the Black Disciples

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagomag.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: arendatroutman; blackdisciples; chicago; chicagocrime; chicagogangs; donnelljehan; druggangs; drugroute; electedofficials; gangs; illinois; politicians; streetgangs

1 posted on 04/25/2013 6:32:20 PM PDT by george76
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To: george76

Damn Guilty!

2 posted on 04/25/2013 6:37:37 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: george76
Sounds as if The Windy City has blown itself full circle back to the days of a different prohibition and Al Capone.
3 posted on 04/25/2013 6:45:16 PM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah, so shall it be again,")
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Chicago Is Known For 3 Things:

Pizza
Gangsters
And Corrupt Politicians.

This Ain't A Pizza!


Click The Pic To Donate

Support FR, The Truth Serum

4 posted on 04/25/2013 6:46:25 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (My faith and politics cannot be separated)
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To: george76
Gangs are Politicians in Chicago

FIXED IT!!!

5 posted on 04/25/2013 6:53:18 PM PDT by DustyMoment (Congress - another name for anti-American criminals!!)
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To: george76

Chicago is a most cause. Turn it to dust and sweep it into Lake Michigan.


6 posted on 04/25/2013 7:53:09 PM PDT by ScottinVA (Gun control: Steady firm grip, target within sights, squeeze the trigger slowly...)
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To: ScottinVA

*LOST cause..


7 posted on 04/25/2013 7:53:57 PM PDT by ScottinVA (Gun control: Steady firm grip, target within sights, squeeze the trigger slowly...)
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To: george76

Street gangs helping politicians get elected. Now does it make sense why politicians in Illinois, especially Chicago, resist letting having people have CCW permits?


8 posted on 04/25/2013 7:58:43 PM PDT by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: george76
 
 
A long read, but well worth it. Shows the inner workings of municipal corruption particularly important for anyone who doesn't have a clear working concept of it and how it works. This same song & dance goes on in any and every city in some degree - some places are worse than others. This is why the citizens MUST NOT EVER get disarmed – these cities would then expand their reach of rule even beyond city limits with their patron armies of criminals as enforcers.
 
 

9 posted on 04/25/2013 7:59:09 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
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To: lapsus calami

The CPD has long been de-fanged. Any cop will tell you the chicago streets are lost to the criminal.

The democrats can’t afford to offend their loyal voting block.


10 posted on 04/25/2013 11:59:15 PM PDT by ChiMark (America no more)
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To: ChiMark; george76; Enterprise

The corruption engulfing Chicago will be replicated everywhere if the current immigration deform bill is passed (not a typo). This bill allows nearly anyone to remain here until all bureaucratic and legal means are exhausted. All meaning ten years-plus of loopholes that any self-respecting cartel member can take full advantage of.


11 posted on 04/26/2013 9:21:20 AM PDT by N-R-T (.dang...another gun fell off the boat)
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To: george76
This is the essence of the Democrat Party throughout the U.S. The Democrat Party members are criminals, street thugs, con men, liars and punks who want something for nothing. The politicians steal taxpayer money and give it away in exchange for support.
12 posted on 04/26/2013 1:35:25 PM PDT by detective
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks george76.
No account of city politics and gangs would be complete without mentioning the federal case against the former 20th Ward alderman Arenda Troutman.. pleaded guilty in 2008 to tax fraud and taking payoffs from developers... bribe-taking and tax-cheating aldermen have been a dime a dozen in the City Council... Troutman’s romantic relationship with Donnell Jehan, a leader of the Black Disciples, one of the city’s most ruthless and feared gangs, which ran a $300,000-a-day drug operation on the South Side.

13 posted on 04/28/2013 11:00:58 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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