November 30, 2005
A DALEY INDICTMENT? HERE'S WHY IT MAY OCCUR
Now that former Chicago Streets & Sanitation deputy commissioner Dan Katalinic has pled guilty in the federal Hired Truck probe, it's no longer a question as to whether Victor Reyes, former director of the mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Al Sanchez, former Streets & San commissioner, will be indicted. It's a question of when. And if Reyes and Sanchez are convicted (or make a plea), then it's no longer a question as to whether Mayor Rich Daley will be indicted. It's a question of when. Katalinic is spilling the proverbial beans, telling the feds how he did exactly what the Hispanic Democratic Organization did -- namely: assemble an army of white city employees, who then worked precincts in certain areas for the mayor's candidates; those who performed well got raises and/or promotions. The HDO did likewise, with Hispanic workers. And it was allegedly Reyes, in the past, and Bob Sorich now, who did the rewarding. When it comes to public corruption charges, it's mix-and-match. Combine conspiracy, racketeering, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, mail fraud and wire fraud. George Ryan was indicted for "racketeering conspiracy." Did Daley, renowned as a hands-on manager, not know that his subordinates "conspired" to wrongfully use the city government to further his political aims? That's racketeering. The mayor's legal problems grow ever more ominous. Full Article...
November 23, 2005
"PLANTATION POLITICS" RISES ANEW IN PROVISO TOWNSHIP
Only old-timers recall, and then only vaguely, the heyday of Plantation Politics on Chicago's West Side during the 1930s through 1950s. White ward bosses like Jake Arvey, Artie Elrod, Al Horan and Eddie Quigley ruled their black-majority wards with an iron fist. The latest incarnation of Plantation Politics has arisen in west suburban Proviso Township, where the Mighty Mayoral Machine -- composed of the white mayors of Melrose Park, Brookfield, Berkeley, Bellwood, Broadview, and LaGrange Park -- are keeping black township Democratic committeeman Gene Moore in power. Moore is the Cook County Recorder, but the office employs only 275, and has a budget of $13 million. That's not the Right Stuff with which to build a local political machine. In 2002, Moore, of Maywood, barely beat Karen Yarbrough, a black state representative from Maywood, by 9,073-7,911; now Yarbrough's running again in 2006, and her husband is Maywood's mayor. Moore's base in heavily black Maywood has totally evaporated, and he will lose to Yarbrough unless the Mighty Mayoral Machine comes to his rescue again. Full Article...
November 16, 2005
WILL BLAGOJEVICH FUND ANTI-TOPINKA CAMPAIGN
For Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, the good news and the bad news is that she will be the Republican nominee for Illinois governor in 2006. With between 3 and 6 opponents in the primary, she will get nominated. But, in so doing, her character will be besmirched, her integrity impugned, and her competency questioned. Polls show her beating Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), and she expects a "brutal" campaign. The feds have subpoenaed records from three state departments as part of their investigation into state hiring. Wouldn't it be ironic if the man who pledged to "change the culture of corruption" in Springfield finds that his own cronies are just as corrupt as his predecessor's? Expect Blagojevich to "pull a Gray Davis," and brutalize his Republican foe. He's got the money to do it. But if a plethora -- which means more than 5 or 6 -- indictments hit the Blagojevich Administration over the next year, then Hot Rod will be a one-termer. Full Article...
November 9, 2005
FORGET THE ANALYSIS; HERE'S LATEST GOSSIP
Amidst the U.S. Attorney's "corruption" probes into state and city government, the 2006 political landscape is becoming clearer. Here's the latest gossip: With Judy Baar Topinka (R) running for governor, a stampede of Democrats are positioning themselves to run for her job as state treasurer, including Chicago Alderman Manny Flores, black State Sen. Jim Clayborne, as well as Dan McLaughlin, the 1998 loser, and Paul Mangieri, the slated Democrat. Flores is the man to watch. In northwest suburban Maine Township, Eric Leys has folded his campaign for state senator, enhancing appointed incumbent Cheryl Axley's (R) chances. In the 11th subcircuit, lawyer Larry Andolino (D), who works for Ed Vrdolyak's law firm, hopes that connection won't sink him in his race for judge. State Rep. Lou Lang has been annointed to be the new Niles Twp. Democratic committeeman, but forces allied with Cong. Jan Schakowsky and Comr. Larry Suffredin will challenge him. Full Article...
November 2, 2005
JOUSTING GROWS INTENSE FOR MWRD AND JUDGESHIPS
Like clockwork, the bienniel brawl for three Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissionerships is underway. As usual, qualifications for the obscure post mean little, while gender, an Irish surname, ballot position, and Democratic organization endorsement mean much. The job pays $50,000 annually, requires attendance at two monthly meetings, and has a car and three staffers; commissioners also have input into the MWRD's $750 million budget and the $3.2 billion Deep Tunnel project. In the eleven Democratic primaries since 1984, one or more unslated candidates have triumphed in eight. For 2006, a large and credible field is forming, including incumbents Terry O'Brien (who is the MWRD president) and William Harris. Barrett Pedersen seeks slating for the third spot. Also running are Frank Avila, Debra Shore, Dean Maragos, Lewis Powell, and a flock of others. The MWRD treats and disposes of effluent and solid waste, and the MWRD primary treats political observers to the joy of anarchy -- a contest where sheer, blind, dumb luck is often enough to win. Full Article...
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