Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke released from prison early

Notorious Chicago alderman released from prison months early

Former longtime Chicago Ald. Ed Burke was released from prison on Tuesday, more than a year ahead of schedule, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

CHICAGO - Former longtime Chicago Ald. Ed Burke was released from prison on Tuesday, more than a year ahead of schedule, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Burke, 81, was released to a halfway house, less than 10 months after reporting to a low-security federal prison in Thomson, Illinois, in the northwestern part of the state.

What we know:

With Burke being transferred to community confinement, that means he could either stay in the halfway house, or be able to go back home to serve the rest of his sentence on home confinement.

Burke, who served 50 years on the City Council, was originally scheduled to be released in May 2026. But now, "Mr. Burke's projected release date from custody is February 20, 2026," officials said.

It was possible that Burke would be sent to a residential facility on Chicago's West Side.

Fox 32 Political Reporter Paris Schutz spotted Burke's wife, Anne, arriving at the facility on Tuesday evening, went into the building briefly and then left.

What we don't know:

It was unclear exactly where Burke would be staying.

The backstory:

Burke was found guilty in December 2023 in his corruption trial of using his power in the City Council to solicit business for his private law firm.

Burke tried to steer tax appeal work to his private law firm by shaking down developers and business owners, much of it captured on secret recordings made by former Ald. Danny Solis.

In September 2024, Burke was sentenced to two years in prison and a $2 million fine after being convicted on 13 counts of racketeering, extortion and bribery.