Ex-Chicago alderman seeks prison release over COVID concerns

CHICAGO (AP) — A former Chicago alderman convicted of tax evasion is seeking an early release from prison due to his age, health and the omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge. Attorneys for Edward  Vrdolyak filed an emergency petition Friday. He began serving his sentence in November after several delays related to the pandemic. Attorneys say the 84-year-old suffers from medical conditions including dementia and has a compromised immune system that would put him at higher risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19. The motion seeks that his sentence be reduced to time served. A hearing for the motion has not been set. Vrdolyak pleaded guilty in March 2019.