February 23, 2005
A TALE OF TWO LAWSUITS: SANTOS, LONGO SEEK REDRESS
Ingratitude invariably eclipses gratitude as a political motivator. Two marginalized Chicago politicians -- ex-Treasurer Miriam Santos and operative Dominic Longo -- are poised to seek legal redress against two very powerful Chicago politicians -- Mayor Rich Daley and Governor Rod Blagojevich. Santos, a onetime Daley protégé, was indicted in 1999 for attempted extortion, mail fraud, and wire fraud, and convicted on 6 counts. She forfeited her job, spent 112 days in jail, had the conviction overturned on appeal, got her job back, and then pled guilty on one felony count of mail fraud. Santos was never very obsequious toward Daley, and thinks that Daley and his cronies "conspired" against her. She wants to vacate her plea because city lawyers blocked her from getting key documents. If she succeeds, she may run for mayor in 2007. Longo claims that Blago defamed him by belittling his work record, and wants an apology. He won't get it, so he will file a lawsuit for defamation -- which will have an impact on the 2006 governor's race. Full Article...
February 16, 2005
THOMPSON SEEKS REVENGE FOR "DASTARDLY DUMPING"
Boring it is not. Vituperative it is. Nasty it is. The Feb. 22 primary for the Republican nomination for northwest suburban Maine Township supervisor is a political columnist's motherlode -- featuring an Amiable Dunce, a Sneaky Supervisor, dastardly deeds, ghosts, goblins, an Old Gals' Network, tensions over abortion rights, vengeance, and Republican recrimination. Incumbent Bob Dudycz, a social conservative with an ethnic name, is not deemed to be a Real Republican; he is opposed by Mark Thompson, the township's Republican committeeman, whom he ousted from the supervisor's job in a 2001 caucus. Thompson's supporters contend that Dudycz was sneaky; Dudycz's backers think that Thompson was a dunce. Democrats are convinced that the Republican blood-letting will enable them to win the April 5 election -- regardless of which Republican they face. Full Article...
February 9, 2005
ACTION AT A MINIMUM IN 2005 SUBURBAN RACES
Chicagoans think that only they generate political icons -- namely: much-beloved political institutions who win again and again -- such as 21-year Mayor Richard J. Daley, with current Mayor Richard M. Daley closing in on 18 years by the end of his term in 2007. But icons also abound in the Cook County suburbs: Don Stephens has been mayor of Rosemont for 49 years, and Nick Blase mayor of Niles for 44 years. In Lincolnwood, Henry Proesel was mayor for 46 years (1931-77), and in Norridge, Joe Sieb was mayor for 46 years (1952-98). Stephens and Blase are unopposed for another term in 2005, but the fight is on for the succession in Niles (Blase is 76), and an eclectic field has filed in Harwood Heights, where the so-called "Gang of Four" trustees has gridlocked the town: it's Democrat Marge Fuller against Republican-leaning incumbent Mayor Norb Pabich. In Lincolnwood, the dominance of the Alliance Party is in some doubt. Full Article...
February 2, 2005
PARK RIDGE REPUBLICANS FEAR PARTY EVAPORATION
It's as though a political neutron bomb dropped on Park Ridge. The Homeowners Party, which has ruled the town for over 30 years, and was an appendage of the local Republican Party, has simply evaporated. Everybody's running this year as an "independent" -- for mayor as well as alderman. The Republicans are no more. In 2003, Democratic-allied "independents" won 5 of 6 contested aldermanic races, and Republican Mayor Ron Wietecha thereafter resigned. Democrats like U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9) and Norwood Park Twp. Committeeman Robert Martwick sent in precinct workers to assist. In 2005, 4 of the 7 aldermanic races are uncontested -- because Republicans can't find people to run. For mayor, in the April 5 election, Republican Howard Frimark is facing Mike Tinaglia, an "independent" backed by the Democrats. And, in once-Republican Maine Township, a nasty Republican primary on Feb. 22 between Mark Thompson and Bob Dudycz could open the door to a Democratic takeover. Full Article...
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