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Robert Fioretti
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| In office 2007 – Present |
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| Preceded by | Madeline Haithcock |
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| Constituency | 2nd ward |
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| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois United States |
Robert "Bob" Fioretti was elected Alderman of Chicago's 2nd Ward on April 17, 2007, after a run-off election against 14-year incumbent Madeline Haithcock. The 2nd Ward includes portions of East Garfield Park, Westhaven, Near West Side, Little Italy, University Village, Illinois Medical District, West Loop, Loop, South Loop, Prairie District, and Bronzeville.
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Pre-political career
Fioretti was a successful lawyer for 30 years prior to his aldermanic bid.
Legal Controversy
In September 2009, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted the Congress Plaza Hotel an injunction against Alderman Fioretti in his capacity as Alderman from interfering with the Hotel's labor negotiations. Judge Ronald A. Guzman noted that Alderman Fioretti, to a much greater extent than former Alderman Haithcock, violated the National Labor Relations Act by delaying the Congress Hotel's permit for a sidewalk cafe.1 Fioretti insisted that he was not exercising "aldermanic prerogative" in denying the permit, but Judge Guzman called Fioretti's claims nebulous. 2 As the Guzman noted, the evidence established that Fioretti had significant ties to unions, especially Congress Hotel workers striking who had been striking since 2006. 3 He wrote "[t]he evidence suggesting that other concerns [not associated with the strike] were at play is both sparse and incredible." 4 Such "czarist" abuse of aldermanic privilege has become a major constitutional concern for federal courts.5
Historic Pullman Foundation Controversy
In 2000, the Illinois FIRST public works fund appropriated a $1.1 million grant to the Foundation to rebuild and restore Market Hall, the landmark structure situated at the center of the original industrial community.6 No such restoration ever materialized because, as Foundation officials say, the project ran out of funds.7 Mr. Fioretti has been a longstanding member of the Historic Pullman Foundation's Board of Directors and was serving as its President in 2000, when it received the grant.8
On October 16, 2009, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the FBI and the State of Illinois are investigating how the Market Hall project consumed the $1.1 million grant plus an additional $200,000 but remains an the same visual blight it has been since the date of the grant.9 The controversy drew FBI attention when Illinois FIRST barred the Foundation from receiving future grants for failing to submit a project audit.10
1 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89090.
2 http://www.chicagojournal.com/News/09-30-2009/Congress_scores_in_permit_suit (Sept. 30, 2009).
3 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89090.
4 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89090.
5 http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/1797603,CST-FIN-roeder30.article (Sept. 30, 2009).
6 http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1806692,CST-NWS-watchdogs05.article (Oct. 5, 2009).
7 http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1828172,CST-NWS-pullman16.article (Oct. 16, 2009).
8 http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1806692,CST-NWS-watchdogs05.article (Oct. 5, 2009).
9 http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1828172,CST-NWS-pullman16.article (Oct. 16, 2009).
10 http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1828172,CST-NWS-pullman16.article (Oct. 16, 2009).
External links
Robert Fioretti Aldermanic website
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