Federal Probes Target James Bracken’s Multifaceted Trucking, Demolition, and Excavation Operation in Chicago and Cook County

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : James Bracken, the owner of a trucking, demolition, and excavation operation in south suburban Markham, is currently under federal investigation in connection with his business enterprise. Bracken’s businesses have received government contracts worth up to $250 million for demolition services, equipment rental, and materials across Cook County. Additionally, Bracken and his businesses have contributed nearly $375,000 to various local elected officials over the past two decades, some of whom have been charged or investigated by federal authorities. Bracken himself is now facing two separate federal criminal probes, one involving the south suburbs of Riverdale and Harvey, and the other focused on possible fraud in the city of Chicago’s minority-owned business programs.

In the Riverdale case, Mayor Lawrence Jackson was indicted for allegedly accepting secret funding from Bracken and his wife for his trucking business and then lying about it in a civil deposition. Jackson pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. The indictment came after the FBI raided Jackson’s home last year, investigating whether he received secret payments from Bracken’s company while helping approve permits for the company to operate.

In another case, an asbestos removal subcontractor who worked for one of Bracken’s companies was indicted on fraud charges related to a county contract for the demolition of an old Harvey hotel. Investigators are looking into whether Bracken’s company improperly received federal grant funds for the demolition.

Bracken’s businesses are also part of a separate federal probe into possible fraud in the city of Chicago’s minority-owned business programs. Subpoenas issued by the U.S. attorney’s office sought records for nine city contracts awarded to Bracken companies since 2016, worth up to $215 million. These contracts include services for processing construction debris, supplying dumpsters, and providing heavy equipment during natural disasters and emergencies.

Despite being under investigation, Bracken has not been accused of any wrongdoing. His attorney declined a request for an interview regarding the federal investigations. However, an examination of government contracts, campaign finance reports, state business records, and a deposition Bracken gave in a civil case reveals his rise from a high school dropout to a successful businessman with connections to powerful politicians in Chicago and Cook County.

Bracken and his companies have contributed significant amounts of money to local politicians over the years, including former Ald. Edward Burke, who is currently on trial for corruption charges. Bracken’s firms also hired a former Burke staffer and the former top attorney in Mayor Richard M. Daley’s administration to lobby the city on their behalf. Bracken even hired Burke’s law firm to lower his home’s assessment.

Bracken, his wife, and his father have registered two dozen businesses in Illinois over the past two decades, with a focus on demolition, construction, property management, and motorcycle assembly. Despite their success, some of Bracken’s businesses have faced citations for illegal dumping and other offenses in Markham, where they are located.

In addition to the ongoing federal investigations, Bracken’s businesses have received lucrative contracts from the city of Chicago, its sister agencies, Cook County, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and suburban municipalities. These contracts, worth nearly $215 million, make up the most valuable of the nearly four dozen contracts secured by Bracken-owned companies since 2009.

Bracken’s involvement with local politicians and the significant government contracts awarded to his businesses raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the bidding process. The federal investigations will shed light on whether any illegal activities occurred and whether Bracken or his companies will face charges in connection with their business operations..