October 29, 2003
QUESTIONS REMAIN AS LOCAL RACES UNFOLD
Capparelli still lives in the 20th District, now represented by Republican Mike McAuliffe (R-20). Capparelli’s chances of beating McAuliffe are, at best, 50-50. McAuliffe disagrees. “He’s the Republican committeeman. With Stephens’ support, McAuliffe has a chance to beat Capparelli. Capparelli and McGing have been estranged since. Backing Pucinski will be Capparelli in the 41st Ward and Alderman Gene Schulter, who is running for committeeman in the 47th Ward. Backing McGing will be the organizations of committeemen Tom Lyons (45th), Randy Barnette (39th) and Pat O’Connor (40th). Full Article...
October 22, 2003
"TOPINKA FACTOR" SPURS CHICAGO REPUBLICANS
In 1990, Republican Jim Edgar got 33.4 percent of the Chicago vote, and won the governorship by 83,909 votes. In 1998, Republican George Ryan got 31.9 percent of the Chicago vote, and won the governorship by 119,903 votes. In 2002, Republican Jim Ryan got 19.2 percent of the Chicago vote, and lost the governorship by 252,080 votes. In that same election, incumbent Republican state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka got 28.6 percent of the Chicago vote, and won re-election by 396,965 votes. In 2004, all 50 wards will elect a Democratic and a Republican committeeman. The other wards with a growing Republican base -- Full Article...
October 15, 2003
PUCINSKI, FRITCHEY MAKE SURPRISE 2004 DECISIONS
Capparelli’s committing, Pucinski’s flipping, Fritchey’s itching, but neither Lang nor D’Amico are sweating. That is a succinct synopsis of recent Northwest Side and suburban political developments. Here’s what’s happening:... Full Article...
October 8, 2003
DEVINE STILL "WAFFLING" ON '04 RE-ELECTION BID
Why is Dick Devine waffling? If Devine, age 58, seeks re-election, he will win the Democratic nomination and the general election easily. Devine once worked for Daley, as his first assistant, when Daley was state’s attorney from 1980 to 1989. As state’s attorney, Pincham would be Daley’s worst nightmare. Had Devine announced in early 2001, run on a platform to “clean up Springfield corruption,” and had the enthusiastic support of Daley, then Devine would be governor today. Unlike his predecessor, Republican Jack O’Malley, Devine has weathered some minor controversies. Quite bluntly, Daley cannot let Devine retire. Full Article...
October 1, 2003
"COUNCIL WARS" MAKE WAY INTO PARK RIDGE
All opposed candidates backed by the pro-Republican Homeowners’ Party. Wietecha’s departure marks the conclusion of Park Ridge’s “Evanstonian evolution”: Evanston is 22.5 percent black and 6.1 percent Hispanic; Park Ridge is an infinitesimal 0.2 percent black, and 2.9 percent Hispanic. Over the past decade, Park Ridge’s demographic and political trends accelerated: Park Ridge’s population was 43,166 in 1971. Wietecha built no personal political organization, and neither the township’s Republicans nor Democrats have any precinct organization in Park Ridge. Politics seemed to stop at Park Ridge’s border. Full Article...
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