May 25, 2005
FOR DICK MELL, WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND
While Gov. Rod Blagojevich blusters about his "testicular virility," and Chicago Democrats bemoan the governor's lack of loyalty (which really means servility), deeming him Ingrate Number One, Alderman Dick Mell (33rd), Illinois' First Father-in-Law, is wallowing in misery. He loudly promised that "The Kid," if elected governor, would be a team player, and spread gobs of state patronage around. For Mell, what goes around, comes around. Mell was once a young precinct captain in Chicago's 33rd Ward, but, when ambition called, he turned on his sponsor, and ran against him for committeeman. And, after winning, he made expedient deals and engaged in a 15-year feud with State Representative Al Ronan -- who aspired to be governor. After Ronan's demise in 1992, Mell chose his obscure son-in-law to be the local legislator, then "threatened, blustered and bullied" to get him into Congress, and then laid the groundwork for his elevation to governor. If Blago is an Ingrate, then Dick Mell's example taught him well. Full Article...
May 18, 2005
DOWNSTATE VOTE KEY TO BOLAND'S TREASURER BID
Being State Treasurer today could evolve into being governor or senator tomorrow. With incumbent Republican Judy Baar Topinka almost certain to run for governor in 2006, a calculating bunch of Democrats and Republicans lust for her job. Obscure Downstate State Representative Mike Boland, from the Quad Cities area, is poised to run, and hopes to be the 2006 equivalent of 1998's Glenn Poshard -- the pro-gun, pro-life, pro-death penalty, anti-gay rights Democrat who won the primary when three Chicagoans split the liberal vote. So is Chicago city clerk Jim Laski, and black Cook County Circuit Court clerk Dorothy Brown. 2002 loser Tom Dart, who was clobbered by Topinka by 396,965 votes (54.8%), may also run. If a bunch of Chicagoans run, Boland wins. Among Republicans, Pontiac State Senator Dan Rutherford is trying to lock up the nomination. Full Article...
May 11, 2005
LONGTIME GADFLY QUINN "NEUTERED" AS LT. GOVERNOR
In the breast of most politicians, hope springs eternal. In the breast of Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, hope springs from the national ambitions of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. After decades of being a marginalized political gadfly, and losing four bids for statewide office, Quinn finally became Number Two in 2002. And after decades of garrulous, vociferous criticism of the political Establishment, Quinn finally got corked. Of the numerous allegations of impropriety leveled at Blagojevich's fundraising, Quinn is mum. "He'd be mouthing off all the time if the governor was a Republican," said one legislator. Quinn still spouts off, but on safe issues which will not put him in conflict with the governor. In fact, Blagojevich hopes that the White House is in Blagojevich's future -- because getting Blagojevich out of Illinois is probably the only way that Quinn gets into the governorship. Full Article...
May 4, 2005
PERAICA, GORMAN FORSEE 2006 REPUBLICAN "OPPORTUNITY"
For over 35 years, a Republican nomination for any Cook County office has been about as desirable as a poke in the eye or a kick in the head. A Republican has won 4% of the contests since 1970. But that may change in 2006, as two prominent, self-funding Republicans -- County Commissioners Tony Peraica and Liz Gorman -- square off for the Republican nomination for county board president...a job currently held by black Democrat John Stroger, a close ally of Mayor Rich Daley. There is a growing perception that county government, with a budget of $3 billion, and 26,000 jobs, is out of control -- and that it is time for Stroger to go. Democratic Commissioners Mike Quigley and Forrest Claypool, both white, are likely to run in the primary, as might black Commissioner Earlean Collins; if Stroger retires, a veritable avalanche of candidates will pour forth. A nasty and divisive Democratic primary could open the door to a Republican victory, especially if it is John Stroger who wins the nomination. On the GOP side, Peraica is a slight favorite over Gorman. Full Article...
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