It is basically a tradition at this point. Every year, researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) dig through Department of Justice data, and like clockwork, they find the same thing. People love to argue about whether the 2026 rankings will shift, but the historical data points to a giant that is hard to topple.
When you talk about the most corrupt city in the United States, Chicago usually wins the gold medal. Honestly, it isn't even a close race most of the time. According to the long-running UIC Anti-Corruption Reports, the Northern District of Illinois—which is basically Chicago and its surrounding suburbs—has seen over 1,800 public corruption convictions since the mid-70s.
That is a lot of handshakes under the table.
The "Stinky Onion" and Its Legacy of Graft
Chicago’s nickname, the "Stinky Onion," feels a bit too literal when you look at the city's political history. You've got a system that was built on "the machine." For decades, if you wanted a job or a permit, you didn't just apply. You knew a guy who knew a guy.
The machine wasn't just a political party; it was an ecosystem.
Former 44th Ward Alderman Dick Simpson, who spent years tracking this stuff, often pointed out that corruption in Chicago is "systemic." It is not just one bad apple. It's the whole orchard. Since 1976, the city has averaged about 32 federal corruption convictions a year. Think about that for a second. That is more than two convictions every single month for nearly fifty years.
It's sorta impressive in a dark way.
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Take the case of Ed Burke. He was the city’s most powerful alderman for half a century. Basically the king of the City Council. Then, the FBI shows up with wiretaps. He was eventually convicted on racketeering and bribery charges. The feds alleged he used his massive political influence to steer business to his private law firm. This wasn't some back-alley deal; it was a decades-long operation run right out of City Hall.
Who Else is in the Running?
Chicago doesn't have a monopoly on bad behavior. Not by a long shot. If we look at the numbers, a few other cities are constantly breathing down Chicago's neck.
- Los Angeles: The Central District of California is a heavy hitter. They’ve had massive scandals involving the City Council and real estate developers. In 2024 and 2025, the FBI remained incredibly active in Southern California, chasing down "pay-to-play" schemes that make the movies look tame.
- New York City: Specifically Manhattan (the Southern District). Between 1976 and the present, they’ve racked up well over 1,300 convictions. NYC corruption is usually more about high-level finance and massive municipal contracts.
- Philadelphia: Philly has a "pay-to-play" reputation that is hard to shake. From city treasurers to district attorneys, the conviction list is long and varied.
- New Orleans: If you measure by convictions per capita, Louisiana often takes the cake. The state’s history is famously colorful, and New Orleans is the epicenter.
The Southern District of New York recently saw a surge in 2025 activity, with the Justice Department reporting 15 official corruption convictions in January alone. That's a huge spike. It shows that while Chicago has the "all-time" record, the title of most corrupt city in the United States can shift depending on how hard the feds are looking in a given month.
The Cost You Actually Pay
We tend to laugh at the "Council Wars" or the "Silver Shovel" scandals, but the reality is pretty grim. Corruption is a hidden tax.
When a contractor bribes an official to get a bridge contract, they aren't using their own money for the bribe. They’re padding the bill. You pay for it in higher property taxes. You pay for it in crumbling infrastructure because the "connected" company did a subpar job.
Basically, the public loses twice.
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In 2025, federal reports highlighted how corruption in local government programs—especially those receiving federal funds—remains the top target for the FBI. We're talking about money meant for schools, housing, and transit being siphoned off.
It’s not just "business as usual." It's theft.
Why Does It Keep Happening?
You’d think after 1,800 convictions, people would get the hint. Why is Chicago still the most corrupt city in the United States?
Some experts blame the "one-party" system. When one group holds power for a century, the lines between the party and the government disappear. Others point to a lack of transparency. If the public can't see how the sausages are made, they don't know who is putting the "grease" in the machine.
Then there’s the "nobody sent" rule. It’s an old Chicago saying: "We don't want nobody nobody sent." It means if you aren't part of the inner circle, you don't exist. That culture is hard to kill.
The 2025 Transparency International reports show the U.S. as a whole is sliding. In early 2026, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) gave the U.S. a score of 65—the lowest it has ever been. This isn't just a local problem; it's a national trend.
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What Can Actually Change?
Fixing a "most corrupt" city isn't about one election. It is about changing the rules.
- Term Limits: Many activists argue that if you stay in power for 40 years, you're bound to get "comfortable."
- Independent Inspectors: Cities need watchdogs who don't report to the people they are investigating.
- Campaign Finance: If a developer can give $50,000 to an alderman's campaign right before a zoning vote, you don't need a PhD to see the conflict of interest.
Honestly, the most important thing is the voters. In Chicago, there is often a sense of "well, they’re all corrupt, so what does it matter?" That cynicism is the machine's best friend.
If you want to stay informed on this, start by looking at your local Inspector General reports. They are usually public and full of eye-popping details that never make the evening news. You've got to watch the "small" stuff—the sidewalk contracts and the permit approvals—because that's where the big corruption always starts.
To keep track of the latest conviction data and see if your city is climbing the ranks, you can follow the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University. They provide the raw, month-by-month data on what the DOJ is actually doing.
Check your local board of elections for upcoming races where you can support candidates who prioritize ethics reform. Attend a city council meeting—even if it's via Zoom—and ask why certain no-bid contracts are being pushed through. The only way to stop a city from being the most corrupt is to make sure someone is always watching.