We Can Afford This?
The tab to Chicago taxpayers for providing a Chicago Police Department bodyguard detail to Ald. Edward M. Burke? Almost $600,000 per year.
That’s according to newly released figures from the Emanuel administration covering 2009.
The top-paid officer made more than $150,000 that year, according to the figures made public in response to a lawsuit filed by the Better Government Association.
The other police officers on the bodyguard detail made $147,000, $140,000, $133,000 and — for a part-time officer — $25,000, for a total of $595,000.
And the best part?
- Emanuel [...] said last month he would reduce the size of the police bodyguard detail for Burke — cutting it to two and staffing the detail with retired cops — in the face of massive budget worries and a shortage of officers on the streets.
And both members of the detail were seen in Wisconsin by numerous readers, dropping of Ed at a golf outing while in a city vehicle. Oh, to be royalty in this burg.
Labels: money questions
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
55 Comments:
Fuk you Ed and the BS system we have here and I went to fight in Afghanistan for what?
Hello Peter Fitz
The officers who accept this detail are rats, plain and simple.
How about Joe Biden renting a cottage on his home property to the US Secret Service to house the Agents assigned to protect him.
Taxpayers cost, over 2K per month.
I guess he needs the money.
And, lest we forget: free cars (new cars, not old, ratty ones), free gas, free maintenance on those cars, free tolls, free parking, parking tickets voided, moving violations nonexistent due to police drivers, free City of Chicago insurance on the cars.
Leases would cost about $400/month, insurance for emergency response vehicles about $100/month, tolls and parking worth at least $300/month, maintenance on the autos maybe another $100/month, gas as high as $300/month (always idling so air conditioning can maintain optimal temperature)= $1200/month
$14,400 a year
Now, multiply that by at least two, since there's a minimum of two cars assigned (maybe even three?). %28,800 per year.
OBSCENE amounts of money are wasted on one person's overinflated sense of self-importance.
Then, multiply it by two - again - and you will cover the amount wasted on Maggie and the Daley offspring. UNCONSCIONABLE.
Over $11 million dollars spent.
Who was approving all the overtime too? Is there no-one held accountable for anything? Blank checks!
As an alderman he can carry a gun. and he is a former police officer so he is trained to use it. he needs to step up , be a man and end this protection detail. no-one cares to harm him anyway. OR people need to step up , pay attention and vote is pompus ass out of office.!
I wish they would stop calling the police that drive Burke around in a free city vehicle "body guards." The fact is they "body guard" nothing. All they are is limo drivers and butlers just to make Burke look like a big shot. They open doors, drive cars, carry luggage, and run errands for him, and that's it. They never look for threats because there are none. They are just butlers at the tax payers expense.
I think the numbers they are using are conservative.
Shortshanks butlers used to really hose the taxpayers with copious amounts of overtime also. Of course they were able to "earn" overtime whenever they felt like it...you know for sleeping on the couch etc.
It's about time somebody shined a flashlight on these bloodsucking cockroaches.
The poor beat cop is lucky if he gets an extra 15 minutes from the W/C when running into overtime on a good arrest.
" ... And both members of the detail ... "
I think Dane Placko at Fox News said that Burke STILL HAS his 5 man detail.
Just sayin.
Fox News interviewed Burke:
Ald. Ed Burke: Not Apologizing for Expensive Security Detail
Burke said that court order is the key to why he's kept his detail. It orders police to provide security for the finance committee chairman.
“Every other chairman of the Finance Committee going back to the 40s has also been the subject of a protection detail,” Burke responded to the notion that he might not have the detail if he didn’t want it.
SEE THE VIDEO:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/politics
/alderman-ed-burke-security-detail-not-apologizing-tax-money-bga-investigation-20110804
You should have seen Burke on Fox 32 trying to defend the detail. It was pathetic. He just doesn't care and it shows.
And the man is a bizillionaire. What a cheap bastard.
---not a cop
WGN interviewed Burke--aired at 9 p.m. yesterday. Man, that dude is one SLICK politician.
Unbelievable.
On Channel 9 news last night they said the mayor can override the court order--so WTF? Watch the clip.
So where do you think the clout-baby bodyguards will be assigned?
I guarantee you it will NOT be in patrol. They're royalty, you know!
Probably R & D, or Fugitives.
Even if they are retired, we are STILL paying them!
Completely unnecessary (except to feed his enormous ego) and a waste of taxpayer money.
Why does he need a brand new shiny car? Give him a tac car, it'll be less conspicuous (sp?). Someone sees that black ride, they think it's someone important--they see a regular, beat up unmarked, no clue.
Give him something with 80K miles on it, and use the money to put a couple of better cars in patrol!
If Rahm wants to fuck with him, there ARE ways to do it.
Plus, where do his bodyguards get off acting like SS agents? Are those earpieces even plugged into anything? Cuz, they face more danger falling off a curb and spraining an ankle rushing to open that assholes door than they do from someone actually trying to harm the guy.
Anybody have the names of these guys and how long they've been on that detail? Since day 1 out of the Academy maybe?
I wish they would stop calling the police that drive Burke around in a free city vehicle "body guards." The fact is they "body guard" nothing. All they are is limo drivers and butlers just to make Burke look like a big shot. They open doors, drive cars, carry luggage, and run errands for him, and that's it. They never look for threats because there are none. They are just butlers at the tax payers expense.
8/05/2011 01:36:00 AM
Why hasn't the media followed them running Burke's errands?
If you have ever seen Burke pull up in his city car with two police officers in susits in the front seat, you are in for a few laughs. He will sit in theback seat and wait for the officer to get out and open the door for him. I don't think you should call these body guards/drivers rats. You would take the same job if you could get it and you know it. It would be hard to turn down a deal of double you salary along with a monthly clothing allowance when you have mouthes to feed at home. I don't blame the oficers taking the job, I blame the system that has allowed this to happen.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
And, lest we forget: free cars (new cars, not old, ratty ones), free gas, free maintenance on those cars, free tolls, free parking, parking tickets voided, moving violations nonexistent due to police drivers, free City of Chicago insurance on the cars.
Leases would cost about $400/month, insurance for emergency response vehicles about $100/month, tolls and parking worth at least $300/month, maintenance on the autos maybe another $100/month, gas as high as $300/month (always idling so air conditioning can maintain optimal temperature)= $1200/month
$14,400 a year
Now, multiply that by at least two, since there's a minimum of two cars assigned (maybe even three?). %28,800 per year.
OBSCENE amounts of money are wasted on one person's overinflated sense of self-importance.
Then, multiply it by two - again - and you will cover the amount wasted on Maggie and the Daley offspring. UNCONSCIONABLE.
8/05/2011 12:42:00 AM
the ONLY PART YOU HAVE WRONG IS GAS! 1 of the coppers on the detail of his told me they fill it up every day,and have BP credit card (compliments of the city taxpayers)so they don't fuel where everyone else does, car uses 15 gallons DAILY 15X$4.00 per gallon= $60.00 per day minimumX30 days=$1,800 per month! Why does he get any guards and why not put his ass in a small ford fiesta to show how responsible he is?
I know I've seen it on SCC before but the best idea I've heard is to put this prick in a MARKED CPD vehicle so all of Chicago's taxpayers can see where their hard earned $$$ are going.
What a great way to remind the assassins who are after the entitled Alderman, that he has armed security around him. Hell, while we're at it, why not put those those security people IN UNIFORM, as well. If he wants to feel protected, then lets give him the security he craves!
Does anyone believe either would jump in front of a bullet for Burke? Might as well get it over with and get both guys little chauffeur hats.
Two things:
First, I don't think Ed Burke car really drive!
Second, how about all the other body guards that are given out to
the reverends and the thousands of man-hours used for district details for these churchs and events?
You will notice how silent Andy Shaw is on this topic.
It would really rub it in my face if this guy doesn't even have to buy a city sticker! Does he own a private vehicle?
Burke needs an FBI handler just like Daley......
Ald Keane, Chairman of Finance had only one officer assigned. His name was "BIG JOHN" When not avaiable some- one from 013 was assigned. Burke family has been feeding on tax payers dime and it is time to curtail this GREED
Ed refuses to talk about his body guards you would think he would at least say Thanks peasants.
This is the arrogance of Da Dem Machine! It also is a reflection on the low-life officers who allow themselves to be humiliated and to make every other cop on the Job to look like we are servants, hacks and flunkies for these pieces of shit politicians. Coppers are willing to do this, just to avoid working on the street. Burke is a millionaire, several times over. Let him pay for his own servants. My God, this guy represents a working class neighborhood, with high unemployment and increasing gang problems; yet he lives like some sort of a prince. Is this representative government in Cook County?
Listen McCarthy , if you do not have guts to end Burke , Daley , Neely body guard details . You can and have authority to assign the officers to work in uniform , drive new marked tahoes .
More room in Tahoe for golf clubs and groceries.
I saw pictures somewhere of police detail taking and carrying his golf clubs? Post that one SCC!
If Rahm had a real pair on that 4'9 frame of his (if that's even possible) he would cut the whole damn city council to half it's size, if not more. What do we need 50 aldermen for?? NYC and LA run on a dozen or so council members- and they are much bigger than Chicago. We pay these fools at least 90K/year AND they get a stipend of 75K to spend at their discretion- for what??? And, are you sitting down for this, aldermen only have to work 10 years to be eligible to retire with 80% of their pay!!!! We as patrolmen have to work 29 years and a day to get 75%!!!!!! Now tell me why exactly is it that the city is broke???? I wonder how much money we could save if we gave these clowns the ax? Maybe we could afford computers and equipment that don't require vacuum tubes and that actually work. Maybe we could hire enough officers so they wouldn't have to ride solo on midnights. Maybe we wouldn't have to worry about having a decent pension to look forward to after many years of service.
Ed burke is our Whitey Bulger, ahh cha cha cha cha!
You should have seen Burke on Fox 32 trying to defend the detail. It was pathetic. He just doesn't care and it shows.
8/05/2011 05:46:00 AM
Why should he? The ARROGANCE of power. Keep voting for this criminal.
It looks like Milwaukee needs to dig a lake and build a beach at the State Fairgrounds so they can close it:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/126828998.html
Check the general budget where they hide all their shenanigans, Bet Burke has other expenses there hidden from the police Dept. budget.
He should be in jail with all the other thieves.
Maybe he's worried about getting "whacked" by a tree like his kid who went head first into a tree during a drunken ride on a snowmobile. Bad things happen to bad people....
The training academy is sending the gym staff(Klauba, ward, Vaccaro, Jackson) to California for some bogus training which includes Airfare, Hotel, and Per Diem. I thought we didn't have any money.
Is this scandal for Burke's detail the same as the fire inspector's scandal?
I wish they would stop calling the police that drive Burke around in a free city vehicle "body guards." The fact is they "body guard" nothing. All they are is limo drivers and butlers just to make Burke look like a big shot. They open doors, drive cars, carry luggage, and run errands for him, and that's it. They never look for threats because there are none. They are just butlers at the tax payers expense.
8/05/2011 01:36:00 AM
I respectfully disagree brother, they're called... cab drivers.
Burke should be made to pay back all the costs of that detail, since day 1. He surely can afford it!
Not taking up for BGA/Andy Shaw, but on Facebook the BGA has brought up the Burke "bodyguard" situation.
Swan Lake can't grow a set because he already has a set - too tiny to detect under a microscope...
Sorry, couldn't resist.
--No Cop Here
I know I've seen it on SCC before but the best idea I've heard is to put this prick in a MARKED CPD vehicle so all of Chicago's taxpayers can see where their hard earned $$$ are going.
What a great way to remind the assassins who are after the entitled Alderman, that he has armed security around him. Hell, while we're at it, why not put those those security people IN UNIFORM, as well. If he wants to feel protected, then lets give him the security he craves!
8/05/2011 09:33:00 AM
I agree. We might have to provide security for him, but I don't think it says anywhere he's got to have the glam ride he's got. Give him a ratty-ass pool car and 2 guys in uniform. Let him smell the exhaust and sit his princess ass on who knows what!
I know this might not be the most Christian thing to say about Burke's, Daley's, etc. "bodyguard" personnel, but really...do all you badasses go home every night and tell your kids and loved ones what a great job you did being a class A bitch for a politician who couldn't care less about you? Is the money REALLY worth selling your manhood, dignity, and your soul for? Are all of you REALLY that pathetic? I know at least some of you read this...does anyone care to answer? I'm not even asking for a name, because, yes, I use a pseudonym because of a lack of the clout all of you evidently have. I KNOW I would be screwed...but YOU guys wouldn't. Do any of you have ANY degree of nuts to answer? I highly doubt it.
I heard that under the new pension legislation these two retirees will not be able to collect thier pensions if appointed to another government job.
If that's the case what the hell are these guys being paid?
Can anyone confirm this?
The training academy is sending the gym staff(Klauba, ward, Vaccaro, Jackson) to California for some bogus training which includes Airfare, Hotel, and Per Diem. I thought we didn't have any money.
8/05/2011 03:05:00 PM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
wah wah wah. They got something I didn't get, but sure would take if offered.
STFU
Fuck you Burke and the undeserved Ill Supreme Court Justice, and the youngster who jello just hired.
I ain't a cop, but the butlers that guard richie and eddie aren't either anymore. Who would demean themselves enough to lick the ball sweat off these two criminals and all the evil they did to Chicago, for a little extra green.
The only personal service real security details provide is maybe to drive. ANYTHING else they may do compromises their ability to be alert and react immediately to threats. I.E., please mister assassin give me a second to put down the golf clubs so I can reach my gun. In other words, Rahm could replace their details with minimum wage andy frains.
It would really rub it in my face if this guy doesn't even have to buy a city sticker! Does he own a private vehicle?
8/05/2011 10:05:00 AM
Why would he? He has at least TWO cars, with drivers, at his beck and call.
As Cool Hand Luke said to the prison guard "Calling it your job don't make it right Boss"
Same thing applies to the officers assigned to Burke or Daley or whoever, you got a nice paycheck but so do a lot of people who pimp for a living.
That they make considerably more than the real police for doing what they do is shamefull, embarassing and an insult to all the workers out there.
Why not rotate that detail through each district, giving every officer an easy day or night for a change. This would also give the opportunity for each politician to meet more officers and hear about the real issues they face daily. I know they care cuz when one gives his life in the line of duty they're front and center in church and on TV with sincere remorse and outrage.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
It looks like Milwaukee needs to dig a lake and build a beach at the State Fairgrounds so they can close it:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/126828998.html
What a difference in reporting from the Journal and the Libune/Sun-Times. The Journal has actual reporting and identifies the race of the thugs. (even though the government officials try to downplay the racial aspects of the melee)
Why can these bloated politicians with their bloated perks pay for their own security detail? This is insane. "retired cops" is just another "in" for someone with clout to get hired and the tax payer STILL pays the bill. Rahm should get some balls and shut down this scam pronto.
just a taxpayer
the idiots at city council should demand that all these millionaires..Daley, Burke, etc, pay for the "security", valets, cabbies, or whatever you want to call them, PAY for this detail. Take the money out of Burke's paycheck and Daley's pension.. bet it will stop once the inflated egos have to dip into their own pocket.
If Rahm had a real pair on that 4'9 frame of his (if that's even possible) he would cut the whole damn city council to half it's size, if not more.
==============================
I would prefer cutting all of the aldermen in half . . .
With all the heat Rahm is taking over Burke's detail you have to know he is scared shit of this guy. Burke is no patsy and would give Emmanuel a spanking every time he came into the Council chambers if he lost his detail. With all the money Burke has buried in his basement you would think he would have the decency to let go of the detail and have a few of his retired police gofers cart him around. Guess not.
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