Burris Steeped In Political Dealmaking, A 'Prototypical' Illinois Politician

Amid the controversy over whether he should become Illinois' next U.S. senator, Roland Burris has been described by friend and foe alike as an earnest public servant with a long history in state politics.

A closer examination reveals a prototypical Illinois politician, who put a relative on the public payroll, steered legal business to political supporters and sought to trade on his ties when he became a lobbyist.

While not in the core circle of power brokers and fundraisers who have dominated the state's pay-to-play culture, Burris has always hovered in the outer ring. His lobbying clients have gotten tastes of state business and favorable rulings from Illinois regulatory panels.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[ReesieKitty]

He's a very typical, run of the mill pol with no outstanding qualities. Speaking of political family alliances, check out this interview with Patty Blagojevich from Chicago Parent Magazine:

http://www.chicagoparent.com/article.asp?aID=923974604.1054193.13429.3025585.3658651.649&aID2=1024

[rudyinbama]

Q. What kind of man accepts an appointment from a crook?
A. Another crook.
.

[mjb5406]

I guess, as a Chicago native, this comes as no surprise. To me, Burris is not the kind of man I want as a senator, and that position is bolstered by his failed attempts at election. I hope that the Blago impeachment panel asks Burris about the contributions to Blago that both he and his consulting clients made; I'm betting that it will show that the appointment was nothing but payback for a contribution job well done.