Corruption in Chicago, What's New?

As Mayor Richard Daley discloses his plans for a $289.8 million dollar tax and fee package increase, which includes the largest property tax increase in Chicago history, meant to bail the city out of the most difficult economic time it has seen in years, the Chicago Tribune has opened an investigation into another scandal involving Mayor Daley.

The investigation begins with Daley's plans in 1997 to purchase a parcel of property on Chicago's Southside, Daley's neighborhood, Bridgeport. The property which is a 1.8 irregularly shaped lot, located at one of the most polluted sections of the river, which is still affected by the dumping of decayed livestock waste from the Union Stockyards. The property also housed a plant that turned coal into gas to light and heat Chicago homes .

In April of 1998, residents were told that the lot was going to be transformed into a public park, but at the same time, it seems that DiPiazza, along with a partner bought the Bridgeport vacant property in 1998 for $50,000.00, and in 2004, DiPiazza had cashed in on his investment, receiving $1.2 million from the sale of the property to the city of Chicago.

It would appear that DiPiazza and his partner are wise and schooled investors, however, this type of return for Daley's acquaintances is not unusual. This is just one instance of how insiders profit from even the most public-minded projects Daley undertakes.

DiPiazza is a former city worker, who has rubbed shoulders with another Daley friend Fred Barbara, who has made his millions hauling garbage for the city. His uncle the late 1^st Ward Alderman Fred Roti , who was known to be the organized crime's representative in the City Council. DiPiazza and his partner Richard Ferro are related to the Roti family by marriage.

They have been generous contributors to Daley and during last February's municipal elections , they gave $25,000.00 to help a pro-Daley alderman.