December 28, 2011
2012 JUDICIAL RACES: BLIND JUSTICE AND BLIND VOTERS
"Justice" is supposed to be blind. So, too, are the voters that elect the judges who dispense "justice." In Cook County's judiciary, where 284 judges are elected and 148 appointed, judicial philosophy and experience matter not. Such superfluidities as gender, race, Democratic slating, ballot position, ethnicity and Irish-surnames are the ticket to victory. Women vote for women; blacks vote for blacks; and Irish surnames are magical. The Democratic primary is dispositive. On March 20, in the primary for IL Supreme Court, Aurie Pucinski's silver-spoon luck has evaporated. Theis is favored. Six Appellate Court justices will be nominated, as will 10 countywide Circuit Court judges and 23 subcircuit judges. Here's an analysis. Full Article...
December 21, 2011
MAN SHOW, NO-SHOW, DUMB SHOW AND FAMILY SHOW IN FOUR DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEEMAN RACES
It's showtime in four 2012 Democratic committeeman races. In the 47th Ward, home of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, it's the "Man Show," with the Mayor's Man (Peter Coffey) versus the Blago Man (Paul Rosenfeld -- who has ties to the convicted ex-governor) versus the Forgotten Man (ex-Ald. Gene Schulter), with new Ald. Ameya Pawar as the Clueless Man, who is backing Rosenfeld. The mayor cannot afford to lose this one. Deals will be made. In the 45th Ward, it's the "No-Show," as ex-Ald. Pat Levar has skedaddled yet again, folding the House of Lyons; it's a race between new Ald. John Arena and Jacquelyn Hathaway. In the 38th Ward, the Cullerton Clan remains dominant; it's the "Dumb Show," as 2011 aldermanic loser (39%) Tom Caravette, having lost to Tim Cullerton, is back and will get thrashed for committeeman by Patti Jo Cullerton. And in the 49th Ward, where 21-year Ald. Joe Moore is bailing to become IL EPA director, it's the "Family Show." After Moore gets his state job, wife Barbara Moore, who aborted her MWRD bid, will get her husband's job. Full Article...
December 14, 2011
"STUPID AND FUTILE GESTURES" ABOUND IN 2012 COOK COUNTY RACES
Remember that classic scene in the "Animal House" movie where the demoralized frat boys, having been expelled by the evil Dean Wormer, boisterously decide that it's time for one last "stupid and futile gesture"? Now that the filing period has closed, and the 2012 candidate field set, here is this column's "stupid and futile" ranking of Cook County candidates. Republicans get a "0" -- the top ranking -- for failing to file any candidate for major office. Why bother? The Republican base is about 26%. Clerk Dorothy Brown, whose S&FG's in 2007 and 2010 undermined her credibility, has a tough primary (D) against Ald. Ric Munoz. Anita Alvarez, who got barely 25% in the 2008 primary, is unopposed for state's attorney. For the MWRD, S&FG's are epidemic, but the comeback attempt of Patty Young can jeopardize the Shore-Steele-Thompson slate. For the BOR, the sole Republican countywide officeholder, Dan Patlak, faces a primary, and could drown in a possible Obama landslide. Full Article...
December 7, 2011
"WIZARD OF OZ" MADIGAN ANOINTS HOUSE CANDIDATES
Illinois' very own "Wizard of Oz" -- a/k/a House Speaker Mike Madigan -- has a quaint idea: Democratic nominees for state representative should be chosen by him, not the voters, in the 118 districts. It's an appoint and anoint mentality. In 2012, the Wizard is busy in the 17th, 19th and 78th districts. His so-called "screening committee," an appendage of the Illinois Democratic party, which is chaired by Madigan, had the temerity to summon a bunch of supplicants to grovel for Madigan's nod in the north suburban 17th District. Laura Fine was chosen, but faces Jeff Smith in the 3/20/12 primary. In the NW Side 19th District, outgoing state rep Joe Lyons was tasked with the job of finding a Madigan-friendly replacement, and picked "Silver Spoon Rob" Martwick, who faces a primary. In the west suburban 78th District, little-known black incumbent Camille Lilly, who backed the income tax hike, is running in an area that is only 30% black; she's totally dependent on Don Harmon's Oak Park machine. Independent Mike Nardello could win. Full Article...
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