Robert Herguth
Watchdogs Reporter
Robert Herguth is an investigative reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times, part of the Watchdogs team. He focuses on an array of subjects, including police corruption, organized crime and government accountability, as well as religion. He also helps oversee some digital and feature projects.
The outgoing Cook County state’s attorney has said prosecuting corrupt government officials is a priority, but many of these cases her office has pursued over the past four years have been relatively minor.
Organized by a well-known lobbyist and a construction executive once caught up in a fraud case, the fundraiser for Bob Berlin drew contributions from two companies banned from some government work.
Those payments to Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue by the Flossmoor Democrat and former NFL player’s campaign fund might not be legal if the items purchased were for personal use.
That brings the total payments to the cosmetics artist to more than $36,000 this year and in 2023. The mayor’s campaign still won’t identify the other “individuals” who’ve had their hair or cosmetics paid for.
The Democratic National Committee is using CTA offices near the United Center that are sublet from developer Scott Goodman, whose company has stiffed the CTA and Cook County for more than $2 million in rent and property taxes.
Seeking a compassionate release, Randall “Madman” Miller acknowledges committing three killings cited in his 1997 racketeering case, including Morris and Ruth Gauger in McHenry County. “I was surprised that he took the blame finally,” says son Gregg Gauger.
The toll system hasn’t had cameras for years, despite warnings to drivers about photo-enforced speed limits in work zones. Such signs are on the Kennedy, too, though it hasn’t had any speed cameras since its current construction project began last year.
It’s unclear whether Catholic figures appealing for leniency in letters to the judge affected the two-year sentence given to Burke. But priests, nuns and lay church leaders went to bat heavy for him — after years of the ex-alderman funneling campaign cash to Catholic causes.
While the Sway Bar faced no noticeable consequences from Mayor Nick Caiafa, who doubles as the northwest suburb’s liquor commissioner, he insists he’s not going easy on the business.