February 29, 2012
"FRIENDS AND FAMILY' AID MARTWICK WITH BIG BUCKS
Decisions, decisions. Is 19th District Illinois House candidate Rob Martwick (D) the "Gravy Train Kid," or just "Silver Spoon Rob"? Through 2/1/12, Martwick's "friends and family" have shoveled $121,265 into his campaign fund, to only $3,095 for opponent Sandra Stoppa. Martwick's father's law firm, for whom he works, is the "seventh most successful" tax appeal firm in Cook County, according to the N.Y. Times (1/29/10). Martwick promises to be "independent" in Springfield. Fat chance. The "Gravy Train Kid" has been on township and Norridge payrolls almost continuously since 1993, making about $250 an hour for two-nights-a-month work. He denies he owns a Porsche. Martwick will beat Stoppa. In the 45th Ward committeeman's race, incumbent Pat Levar has taken a hike, resigning on Feb. 10. That means Ald. John Arena will will the post. Full Article...
February 22, 2012
"BIG DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL" VS "CHAPEL HILL KID"
This is not a fairy tale. In Chicago's Hispanic-majority 39th Illinois House District, it's "Big Daddy's Little Girl" vs. the "Chapel Hill Kid." Chicago "is not for sale," sniffed the consultant to State Rep. Toni Berrios (D), daughter of Big Daddy Joe Berrios, the county assessor and Democratic chairman. She faces ex-Internet journalist Will Guzzardi in the 3/20/12 Democratic primary. Guzzardi, a North Carolina native, has raised $86,148, and 70 of his 82 donors are from the East or West coasts (and North Carolina), and only 12 from Chicago. The Berrios name has baggage, and the new 39th District pushes west into Six Corners and Portage Park. But Big Daddy's big bucks will save the day for Toni.Full Article...
February 15, 2012
GUILTY MINDS, TRYING TIMES IN 78TH DISTRICT
Oak Park is suffused with guilty minds and trying times. And the 3/20/12 Democratic primary in the 78th Illinois House District is creating a lot of angst, as a black female incumbent (Camille Lilly) is being challenged by a white male (Mike Nardello). The district includes the western suburbs (Franklin Park, Elmwood Park and River Grove), plus part of the 36th Ward and some black precincts in Chicago, plus historically liberal Oak Park. It is 50% white, 30% black, and 20% Hispanic. Like everywhere else, Oak Park's housing values have collapsed. Liberal whites feel guilty if they don't vote for minorities and/or women. Don Harmon must rescue Lilly in Oak Park. A Nardello upset is possible.Full Article...
February 8, 2012
DARK FISCAL CLOUDS DON'T FAZE "SUNSHINE" KOTOWSKI
Dan Kotowski is the Illinois Senate's "Mr. Sunshine." The media is replete with dire and ominous predictions of fiscal catastrophe, and Illinois' ship-of-state resembles the Costa Concordia. But Kotowski, a Democrat from Park Ridge, blithely proclaims that his committees are "reforming the culture of Springfield," and that there have been "significant cuts in spending." Is he dreaming? Kotowski faces a tough re-election fight in the new 33rd District, and his income tax hike vote will be a defining issue.Full Article...
February 1, 2012
CHICAGO WARD REDRAW CATALYZES 2015 CAMPAIGN; FIORETTI TO RUN FOR MAYOR, SPOSATO TO CHALLENGE CULLERTON
It's only 1,125 days until the next Chicago mayoral and aldermanic elections. But, catalyzed by the January 2012 ward redraw, the 2015 campaign is underway. At present, the city council has 23 white (including one Asian), 19 black, and 8 Hispanic aldermen. Ther new map creates 17 white-majority, 18 black-majority and 15 Hispanic-majority wards. But white aldermen Burke, Mell, Zalewski, Pope and Quinn will win in Hispanic-majority wards. Three aldermen -- Nick Sposato (36th), Bob Fioretti (2nd), both white, and Tino Foulkes (15th), who is black -- were sacrificed. The new 36th and 15th wards are Hispanic-majority. Sposato will move and oppose Ald. Tim Cullerton in 2015. An Arena-Garrido rematch is certain in the 45th Ward. Fioretti will run for mayor. Attached is a CHART detailing the Hispanic wards with non-Hispanic aldermen.Full Article...
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