January 26, 2011
"E-TEAM" TOPS "B-TEAM" IN 41ST WARD ALDERMANIC RACE
The "E-Team" leads the "B-Team." The testosterone level is bountiful in Chicago's Northwest Side 41st Ward, which brims with macho cops and Irish- and Polish-Americans. 20-year Republican Ald. Brian Doherty is retiring, and the top two contenders are women -- Mary O'Connor and Maurita Gavin...the "Estrogen Team." A gaggle of 11 candidates are running, and an April 5 runoff is certain. Gavin is Doherty's aide...the "ward mom." O'Connor is the ward's Democratic committeeman, but is getting no outside party or union help. Close behind is cop Rich Gonzalez, running as a "tough guy," and pledging to spend $250,000. Also on the ballot are Brock Merck, John Quinn, Barbara Ateca, Jim Mullen, Tom Murphey, Dan Lapinski, George Banna and James Schname. The outlook: With 5 Irish-surnamed candidates, 3 cops, and 3 from Edison Park, the 16-17,000 2/22 turnout is fractionalized. Everybody decries high taxes and low services. Voters presumably want a "tough guy" alderman, but the E-Team is ahead. Full Article...
January 19, 2011
"BURGER KING MENTALITY" PREVAILS IN LAKEFRONT WARDS
A "Burger King mentality" permeates Chicago's Lakefront wards. Residents perceive their alderman as an indentured servant, not a public servant. They not only expect, but relentlessly demand that their problem or complaint be rectified their way, right now. This 24/7 pressure has prompted longtime incumbents Vi Daley (43rd), Helen Shiller (46th) and Mary Ann Smith (48th) to bail in 2011. Daley, from Lincoln Park, has served 12 years; she bungled the Lincoln Park hospital redevelopment, and quit. Shiller, from Uptown, has served 24 years; she's now politically toxic, as the Wilson Yards "affordable housing" situation has inflamed both "haves" and "have-nots" -- it's called the "Tar-ghetto." Smith, from Edgewater, has served 22 years, and is part of the ward's Democratic Establishment, which doles our offices their way; Smith will be replaced by Harry Osterman, son of her predecessor. In the 49th Ward (Rogers Park), Joe Moore is now a Burger Kinger; his principal foe wants to make the whole ward a TIF, and use the money for "affordable housing. To the ward's many condo owners, that's like a bullet to their wallet. They'd be stuck where they're at for life. Full Article...
January 12, 2011
BRAUN'S "CONSENSUS" PICK INSURES EMANUEL MAYORAL WIN
Curiosity may kill the proverbial cat. But this column's curiosity about why Carol Mosley Braun has emerged as the black "consensus" pick for Chicago mayor leads to an obvious conclusion, to wit: The best way to elect Rahm Emanuel as mayor in 2011 is the anoint the most flawed and unelectable black -- namely: Braun. To those inclined toward Machiavellian or conspiratorial theories, the White House forced Danny Davis and James Meeks out. Emanuel's election aids President Obama's 2012 re-election prospects; Braun's doesn't. Emanuel would be the captain of the new Obama/Emanuel Chicago machine, composed of the public-sector unions, their money, and their manpower. Obama wants Emanuel to be the next mayor. But Obama can't endorse him. The next best option: Have Emanuel opposed by an unelectable black. Braun's choice undermines Gery Chico's candidacy, enhances Congressman Jesse Jackson's future prospects, and insures an Emanuel win. Full Article...
January 5, 2011
"SWEET" ALDERMANIC JOB DRAWS FLOCK OF BLACK ASPIRANTS
In Chicago's 20 black-majority wards, "sweet" is a singularly appropriate adjective to describe the job of alderman, which will be elected in 2011. The gig is part-time; occupants can practice law, play golf, delegate work to their staff, and show up for 2 meetings per month. It also generates a revenue stream of $6,478,224 over a 4-year term. That includes salary ($110,556/year), contingency funds for office rent, supplies, phones, postage and car lease ($32,000/year), and $177,000 annually for 4 or more staffers (who may be friends or family). Plus, each alderman gets $1.3 million in discretionary funds, to spend on any ward project or projects. That amounts to almost $6.5 million through 2017. That's a "sweet" deal, and the reason why 189 candidates filed. In black wards, the "4-Ps" control: Prison, pulpit, persistence, and primogeniture. Of 31 convicted Chicago aldermen since 1973, 13 were black. Clergymen have great ward wide influence. Losers try repeatedly, and ultimately win. And familiarly-named legacies attempt to carry on the family business. In 2011, incumbents are vulnerable in the 6th, 8th, 15th, 18th and 24th wards; the 4th, 28th and 29th (with an appointee) are open. All ward races are analyzed. Blacks serve an average of 2.1 terms, whites 4.3. Volatility will rule in 2011. Full Article...
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