Willie Cochran

Willie Cochran was a member of the Chicago City Council representing the 20th ward of the City of Chicago. First elected in 2007 defeating long-time alderman Arenda Troutman with 63% of the vote. Cochran did not seek reelection in 2019, after being indicted on federal charge and was later sentenced to four years in prison.

Willie Cochran
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 20th ward
In office
2007–2019
Preceded byArenda Troutman
Succeeded byJeanette Taylor
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic

Education and early career

Cochran served in the Chicago Police Department from 1977-2003 rising from patrol-man to sergeant. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1975 and received his MPA from Illinois Institute of Technology.[1]

Aldermanic career

Cochran was elected alderman for the 20th ward of the City of Chicago in 2007, unseating Arenda Troutman with 63% of the vote. Cochran was subsequently reelected in 2011 and 2015. Troutman did not seek reelection in 2019, after being indicted on a federal charge.

His ward included Woodlawn, Washington Park, and Englewood, Grand Crossing, and Back of the Yards

Corruption

In December 2016, he was charged in a 15-count indictment for stealing funds "meant for poor children and seniors". According to the Associated Press, he plans to plead guilty in 2018.[2][3] On March 21, 2019, at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse in Chicago, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire faud for misusing campaign funds for gambling and other personal expenses. Under the plea agreement, he could face a sentence of 12 to 18 months in prison or probation, Cochran's sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2019.[4] Cochran was sentenced to one year in prison on June 24, 2019; Cochran reported to prison on August 23, 2019.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Questionnaire - Willie B. Cochran". Chicago Tribune. 2015. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  2. Associated Press (August 15, 2018). "Lawyer: Chicago alderman to plead guilty in corruption cases". Seattle Times. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  3. Dardick, Jason Meisner, Jeremy Gorner, Hal. "Ald. Willie Cochran indicted on thefts from ward charity". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved Apr 4, 2019.
  4. "Ald. Willie Cochran pleads guilty to wire fraud in corruption case". Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  5. "Willie Cochran, former Chicago alderman, sentenced to 1 year in prison". ABC7 Chicago. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
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