Feb 28, 2007 9:41 am US/Central
Ald. Troutman Won't Concede Race
Challenger Willie B. Cochran Declares Victory
by Alita Guillen
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Plagued by an indictment accusing her of accepting bribes and the discovery of suspected drugs, Ald. Arenda Troutman (20th) lost her seat Tuesday night to challenger Willie B. Cochran.
With 96 percent of the precincts counted Wednesday morning, Ald. Arenda Troutman had just 32 percent of the vote, while challenger Willie B. Cochran had 62.51 percent. A third challenger, Edward Chaney, had 5.49 percent.
But as CBS 2's Alita Guillen reports, Troutman refused to concede the election, saying instead there was a "conspiracy" and demanding an investigation into inconsistencies at the polls.
"This conspiracy isn't on Arenda Troutman, it's on the people," Troutman said, raising her voice. "The people lose!"
But Cochran, a retired police sergeant, has declared victory.
Troutman's South Side ward includes the Woodlawn, Washington Park and Grand Crossing neighborhoods, and part of the Englewood neighborhood.
Last month, Troutman – who took office in 1990 – was plagued by allegations by the FBI saying it found a loaded pistol, ammunition, suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia at her home.
Agents found "white powdery substance in a Ziploc plastic bag" when they went through her office. And they recovered a Christmas card with a $100 bill stuffed in it from a Chicago police commander.
The results of the testing have not been released from the FBI.
Shortly before that, Troutman had been charged with taking a $5,000 bribe in exchange for helping a fictitious developer move forward on a building project.
Troutman has also been accused of having gang ties. In 2004, Troutman was questioned by the federal authorities regarding her romantic relationship with Donnel Jehan, a leader of the Gangster Disciples street gang with extensive underworld drug dealer connections and a long criminal record.
Troutman's lawyer, Sam Adam Jr., later said testing would show the substance was a vitamin supplement.
But Cochran said at the time, "Based on the situation I think the alderman should consider resigning."
Bishop Arthur Brazier of the 20th Ward's largest church, the Apostolic Church of God, and Rev. Leon Finney of the Woodlawn Organization both endorsed Cochran, as well as a host of African-American politicians who said they were embarrassed by the allegations against Troutman.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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