32 Facts About Edward Vrdolyak

Edward Vrdolyak was a longtime Chicago alderman and the head of the Cook County Democratic Party until 1987 when he ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Chicago on the Illinois Solidarity Party ticket.

Edward Vrdolyak subsequently ran again in 1989 on the Republican Party ticket.

Edward Vrdolyak was a prominent opponent of Harold Washington and the de facto leader of the so-called "Vrdolyak 29" that opposed and blocked many of Washington's measures.

Edward Vrdolyak, born to Croatian immigrant parents, entered a Catholic seminary at age 13, but decided against joining the priesthood.

Edward Vrdolyak graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, then from St Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana.

Edward Vrdolyak received his JD degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1963 and began a legal career in private practice, specializing in personal injury cases.

Edward Vrdolyak earned the nickname "Fast Eddie" because of his skill in back-room deal-making.

Edward Vrdolyak is most noted for leading the opposition in the City Council to Mayor Harold Washington from 1983 to 1987.

At this point, several of the Edward Vrdolyak 29 began to support Washington, giving him a supportive council.

In 1987, Edward Vrdolyak resigned as county Democratic chairman, and ran for mayor as the Solidarity Party nominee, defeating a candidate backed by Washington in the primary.

In light of these factors, as well as his growing unpopularity among Democrats, Edward Vrdolyak joined the Republican Party in September 1987.

In 1988, Edward Vrdolyak was the Republican nominee for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

In 1989, Edward Vrdolyak again ran for mayor, in a special election for the last half of Washington's term; he won the Republican primary as a write-in candidate.

Edward Vrdolyak hosted a popular talk radio show from 1993 to 1996, first on WLS radio and then on WJJD Radio.

Edward Vrdolyak maintained a strong behind-the-scenes presence in Chicago area politics.

Edward Vrdolyak became best known for his influence in the appointment and election of Cook County Circuit Court judges.

Smith was reportedly appointed by Freeman based on Edward Vrdolyak's recommendation, leading to speculation that Edward Vrdolyak was the alleged "go-between".

Edward Vrdolyak was a key adviser to Betty Loren-Maltese, former Town President of the Chicago suburb of Cicero.

On May 10,2007, Edward Vrdolyak was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud.

The key witness against Edward Vrdolyak was to be Stuart Levine, a partner in the alleged scheme.

Levine, a close friend and political ally of Edward Vrdolyak, was indicted in 2005 for using his positions on the Illinois Teachers Retirement System board and the Illinois Health Facilities board to obtain kickbacks.

Political insiders expressed surprise at the idea that Edward Vrdolyak would be caught on tape.

Chicago alderman Bernard Stone noted that Edward Vrdolyak was always careful when talking on the phone, once telling Stone to "always talk like the government was on the phone with you".

Edward Vrdolyak told the jury that he funneled payoffs for clients who wanted Chicago city contracts through Vrdolyak, including some alleged schemes for which Vrdolyak has not been charged.

That day an agreement was reached in which prosecutors dropped several of the charges and Edward Vrdolyak pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

The plea agreement stated that Edward Vrdolyak was not cooperating with other investigations, and prosecutors recommended a sentence of 41 months in prison.

On October 15,2010 Edward Vrdolyak was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Edward Vrdolyak served his sentence at the federal prison camp in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Edward Vrdolyak was released from prison on November 17,2011.

On November 15,2016, Edward Vrdolyak was indicted for income tax evasion.

Edward Vrdolyak was sentenced to eighteen months in prison for the scheme.

On March 9,2023, Edward Vrdolyak was released from the halfway house.