Article: Burke tried to cut Rezko's taxes; He voted on deal involving client

Why did Ald. Edward M. Burke vote to approve Tony Rezko's plans to develop the South Loop's biggest piece of vacant land even as he was working for Rezko on that same deal?

Burke says: I forgot to abstain.

The much-conflicted alderman says he meant to sit out the vote. He'd even sent a letter to the Chicago Board of Ethics in August 2003 saying he would abstain from any Council votes on Rezko's plan to put as many as 5,000 homes and stores on a 62-acre site along the Chicago River at Roosevelt Road.

But then Rezko's project came before the City Council on March 31, 2004, and Burke cast his vote -- in favor.

"An error occurred," the alderman said in a written response to questions, ...

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