By Bill Cameron, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO) Indicted Alderman Willie Cochran’s defense attorney told a judge in federal court today that the alderman is planning to plead guilty in a plea deal.

Alderman Cochran’s charged with shaking down businessmen and pocketing charitable donations.

He’s not returning calls to explain why he’s decided to plead guilty, so he has even less to say now than he did when reporters chased him down a hall when he was indicted in December of 2016.

Reporter: “Alderman, do you want to make a comment?

Cochran: “No, I don’t.”

Reporter: “Do you believe you’re innocent?”

Cochran: “(Laughs)”

Ald. Cochran used to be a cop and would be the 30th alderman since 1972 to be convicted of corruption.

@ 2018 WLS-AM News