February 27, 2013
"GOODY-GOODY" BENIGNO FAILS NORRIDGE'S "BRILLO TEST"

Here's a blockbuster: Deputy Illinois Secretary of State Tom Benigno, Jesse White's chief-of-staff, who runs an office controlling 4,753 jobs, wants to be mayor of Norridge in 2013, a village which has 150 jobs. Benigno promises to work for free, and fit his municipal duties, here and there, around his state obligations. That means at least a couple of hours a week. He better work for free. According to his opponent, James Chmura, Mike Madigan, Jim DeLeo and White are bankrolling and behind Benigno's takeover attempt. Here's an overview of some other suburban elections, where duplicity, mendacity, comedy and audacity are not in short supply.Full Article...


February 20, 2013
MACHINES CRUMBLING IN 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CICERO, MORTON GROVE

This equation describes this column: T8.IL.8xT.pol. It's a "Top 8 List" of Illinois' most tiresome, tainted, timid, treacherous and/or tyrannical politicians. They include Mike Madigan, Pat Quinn, Bill Daley, Sheila Simon, Jesse White, Dick Mell, Joe Berrios, and the 3 looming Republican candidates for governor in 2014. Remember that old 1960s slogan? If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. These pols have problems, and rarely solve problems.Full Article...


February 13, 2013
PARK RIDGE "MAYOR NO" FACES DICEY RE-ELECTION

Incumbents beware. Votes are beyond restive; they're getting angry -- with decision-avoiding, self-serving, long-entrenched, mealy-mouthed politicians. They want problems solved, not exploited and exacerbated. Four key elections in 2013 will provide a glimpse of 2014. They are in Massachusetts, Illinois' 2nd congressional district, Cicero and Niles. If the favorites lose, the outsiders win, or if voters just opt for the Same Old/Same Old, those four elections will be indicative of developing trends.Full Article...


February 6, 2013
"GOVERNOR PANDERER" CRAFTS LIBERAL BASE FOR 2014 DALEY-MADIGAN PRIMARY

As Chicago Aldernan Dick Mell (33rd) waxes Shakesperian -- "to quit or not to quit, that is the question" -- and insists that daughter Deb Mell be appointed by the mayor to replace him, other politicians yawn. So what else is new? It's the family business. Chicago and county politics are replete with "royalty" -- Princes, Princesses, Lords, Ladys, Earls, Knights, and, of course, Chicago's very own Hapsburgs, the Daleys. Also powerful are the Burkes, McMadigans, Hynes's, Cullertons, Laurinos, Jacksons (but not much longer), Lipinskis and Pucinskis, Forget about the Strogers. Here's an analysis of royal bloodlines.Full Article...


 

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