Teamsters leader Coli charged in extortion scheme

For decades in Chicago, the word "Teamsters" has been synonymous with one family name: Coli.

Now the feds have indicted John T. Coli Sr., the man who has led Teamsters Joint Council 25 for more than 15 years and has been a major player in city and state politics.

Coli was a powerful backer of Rahm Emanuel in the 2011 mayoral election, holds a state labor board post under Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and was a key supporter of Rauner's predecessor, Democrat Pat Quinn. While his name might not be publicly well known, the campaign dollars, union endorsements and volunteers he commands have made him a go-to figure for candidates seeking elected office.

Coli, 57, is accused of trying to extort $100,000 from Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the clout-heavy studio that has gotten millions of dollars in state grants.

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