Keane was once considered the second-most powerful politician in the city, exceeded only by his close personal ally Mayor Richard J.

Mr. Keane's political career ended in 1974 with a federal conviction on mail-fraud and conspiracy charges related to real estate deals.

The United States Supreme Court subsequently held unconstitutional the portion of the mail-fraud law under which Mr. Keane was found guilty.

[4] On October 2, 1996, the former alderman was posthumously honored for his "long distinguished career in the service of his community" by the full city council led by Mayor Richard M. Daley, the son of his late ally.

[5] Mr. Keane died, on September 9, 1996, at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center, in Chicago, from heart failure, aged 90.