that obviously the politicians feel empathy for their brothers in crime the gangs and the thugs. They often end up in prison together,
Bonus Explainer: How do we know that Chicago's so corrupt? The most straightforward way to measure corruption is to check the number of convicted local officials. Between 1995 and 2004, 469 politicians from the federal district of Northern Illinois were found guilty of corruption. The only districts with higher tallies were central California (which includes L.A.), and southern Florida (which includes Miami). Eastern Louisiana (and New Orleans) rank somewhat further down the list.
But a high conviction count doesn't necessarily mean more corruption. It could mean that a district happens to have very strict transparency laws or a zealous and effective federal prosecutor—like Patrick Fitzgerald in Chicago. You might try to measure corruption by checking the number of city employees per 1,000 people. (Bigger governments suggest patronage-style politics.) Or you could check to see how long it takes to acquire a construction permit through legal means. (Long delays may reflect a system of rampant bribery.)
Public perception may be the most useful measure. If the inhabitants of a city view corruption as a given, they'll be more inclined to forgive politicians who have already been tainted by scandal, like Chicago's current mayor, Richard Daley.
http://www.slate.com/id/2206364/ Mobster Tells All About Past Chicago Corruption"The Beak" Reveals Alliance Between Outfit And Cops
Jul 25, 2007 7:12 pm US/Central As a youth, "The Beak" soon began working for the outfit and looked up to mobsters.
"They made the money. They didn't go to jail. They had the power," he said. "Most of the police were on the (mob) payroll. It was a different era."
Siegel testified that he was present when his outfit boss took him to meet police crime-busters Bill Hanhardt and his partner John Hinchey.
According to Siegel, his boss then told the cops "to leave me alone."
Siegel said the going rate for police protection was as much as $1,200 a month, plus a new car every two years to Hanhardt and Hinchey and $600 a month to their underlings.
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/Bobby.The.Beak.2.338495.html