July 25, 2012
NO "RETROGRESSION" IN "ME-FIRST" COUNTY BOARD REMAP
Either because of self-interest or the federal Voting Rights Act, Cook County's 17 commissioners passed a 'ME-FIRST" remap plan to reconfigure their single-member districts according to the 2010 census. It protects 15 of 17 incumbents. Being a county commissioner is a sweet job -- no constituent service hassles, light schedule, 2 meetings per month, $85,000 a year. Here's how the remap will impact various incumbents in the lead-up to the 2014 elections.Full Article...
July 18, 2012
STEWART MARKS 40 YEARS AS COLUMNIST; RANK'S BEST, WORST POLITICIANS
In 40 years, I've observed and analyzed a vast procession of state, county and city politicians. Among the worst, based on the criterion of horrendous judgment, rank Jane Byrne, Carol Moseley Braun, Todd Stroger and, of course, Rod Blagojevich. Among the best: Jim Thompson, George Dunne, Harold Washington and Rich Daley. Here's a retrospective on how the print media has changed since 1973.Full Article...
July 11, 2012
THE NEXT U.S. ATTORNEY? NOT MADIGAN, DART OR ALVAREZ
The jockeying to replace departed U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is hot and heavy. The job is a treasure trove of glory and/or riches. Since 1940, 3 U.S. Attorneys have been elected Illinois governor, one lost, and two were elected state's attorney. Alternatively, an ex-U.S. Attorney can go into private practice, defend the kind of scumbags that he previously put into jail, and make $4-5 million a year. The Obama Administration, with Sen. Durbin's input, will make the choice. Count out Lisa Madidan, Tom Dart and Anita Alvarez. Full Article...
July 4, 2012
A SAGA OF OLD, BOLD AND SEMI-BOLD POLITICIANS
It is often remarked that there are bold politicians, old politicians, but never old, bold politicians. Bold means having the courage to take a risk -- of either time, money, or one's current office -- to seek a higher office. Mark Kirk and Abner Mikva were bold. Barack Obama, Rich Daley, Toni Preckwinkle and Roman Pucinski were wimpy bold: They sought higher office secure in the knowledge that they would not forfeit their current office if they lost. And then there's Rod Blagojevich, who was told to be bold, forgot who told him, and then boldly talked himself into federal prison.Full Article...
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