When a gang member runs for alderman

With city elections fast approaching in Chicago, I went looking to find out more about the time that the Gangster Disciples, the biggest gang in Chicago, ran a candidate for alderman. I had always heard about it, but never knew any details. Legend has it that the Chicago police had decided to tolerate the Gangster Disciples, but because they got active in politics, the police lowered the hammer and decimated the gang by arresting almost all the leaders in a huge sweep.

I didn’t expect to find anything half as interesting, informative, well written, (and long) as this outstanding piece written by Greg Donaldson. I assume he is the same Greg Donaldson who wrote these pieces for New York Magazine, many of which look extremely interesting as well.