McCook, IL Attorney News Archive

Former Cook County chief of staff Patrick Doherty has won a significant reduction in his prison sentence, now serving 51 months instead of the 64 months originally imposed. This decision was made by U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama.

Doherty was convicted in a corruption case that involved several high-profile figures, including ex-Commissioner Jeff Tobolski and state Senator Martin Sandoval. He was sentenced for bribing officials to benefit himself and SafeSpeed LLC, a company that operates red-light cameras. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hanna Helwig emphasized that Doherty exploited the system, prioritizing his personal interests over the needs of constituents.

In his defense, attorney Burt Odelson requested a more lenient sentence, citing Doherty's good behavior as a model prisoner since June 2023. As this case progresses, its impact continues to be felt across the realms of civil litigation and criminal defense in Chicago.