Greising: What Do Latest Chicago Scandals Have in Common? Aldermanic Privilege.

The case against disgraced former Ald. Danny Solis has been tawdry from the start. It involved prostitution, free use of an Indiana farm once owned by Oprah Winfrey, doses of Viagra and illegal campaign contributions — all allegedly in exchange for official acts.

And the saga took an infuriating turn this week when prosecutors revealed that Solis, 25th, likely will one day see the case against him dismissed altogether. All he needs to do, prosecutors indicated in court, is testify truthfully and effectively against Ald. Ed Burke, 14th, former House Speaker Mike Madigan and perhaps others.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is outraged and for good reason. She even has sought the court’s leave to file a victim impact statement on behalf of the city.

Normally, such statements allow the victim to inform the judge, and the public, about the impact a crime had on their lives. They affect sentencing and sometimes prompt shame or contrition by the criminal.

Read more at the chicagotribune.com.