October 30, 2013
“NON-RETROGRESSION” TO BE TESTED IN 29TH WARD
"No-Retrogression" basically means that when an office goes black (or Hispanic), it never goes back. Except for the presidency... and Chicago's 2nd and 29th Wards. In 2007, Bob Fioretti won the erstwhile black South Loop 2nd Ward, and the Democrats' 2011 Ward remap spread blacks thin so as to insure 17 black aldermen. Fioretti is now in a white ward, and Nick Sposato's ward will be Hispanic. But the big 2015 surprise could be the Austin-based 29th Ward, where Deborah Graham is alderman. A split between her and Danny Davis may be deep enough to elect a white in a ward that is 62% black. Full Article...
October 23, 2013
GUZZARDI’S KNOCK-ONS;
MAY KNOCK-OFF BERRIOS
In England, "knock-ups" are a visit, not a permanent condition. In Chicago's northwest side 39th District, Democrat Will Guzzardi views "knock-ups" as his ticket to Springfield, In 2012, the unknown and under-the-radar Guzzardi spent over 40 hours per week knocking on 13,000 doors, and lost the primary to 5-term incumbent Toni Berrios, daughter of clout-heavy county assessor Joe Berrios, by 125 votes. The rematch is underway. Guzzardi rips Berrios for voting to "defund" Chicago schools. He will "solve" Illinois' final crisis by raising taxes on the rich. Full Article...
October 16, 2013
GOVERNMENT GRDLOCK BOOSTS 'TEAM CLINTON'
Amid the so-called "government shutdown" and on the cusp of the deadline to raise the country's $17 trillion debt ceiling, two voices have been notably, and probably joyously, silent -- "Team Clinton." While the Boehner-led House Republicans and the Obama Administration and Harry Reid's Senate remain implacably obdurate, the path to a restoration for Hillary and Bill Clinton has become crystal clear, and a 2016 presidential win looks not just likely, but almost inevitable. Full Article...
October 9, 2013
FOR ILLINOIS POLITICIANS, AMBITION TRUMPS JOB SECURITY
Illinois doesn't need term limits. Incompetence and corruption insure that no governor serves too long. And, in the down-ballot offices -- lt. governor, atty. general, secy. of state, treasurer, comptroller -- pent-up ambitions make them a revolving door. In the past 60 years, since 1952, 28 of the 33 incumbents of those offices (excepting LG) have been re-elected -- 85% job security. But, simultaneously, of the 31 incumbents who have sought higher office, only 9 have won -- just 29%. The screaming message is: Win and stay put, like Jesse White and Lisa Madigan, both of whom will win again in 2014. Treas. Dan Rutherford is running for governor, and 2014 candidates Tom Cross and Mike Frerichs are vying to use the job tp run for some higher office in 2018. Compt. Judy Baar Topinka already failed to win for governor (2006), but LG Sheila Simon wants to beat her so she can run for senator (2016) or AG (2018). Full Article...
October 2, 2013
TOUGH PRIMARIES AWAIT BERRIOS, REYES, ANDRADE
The 2014-15 primary season has dawned, and there will be no dearth of negativity and nastiness. In the 8th Dist., county commissioner Ed Reyes is being dumped by the Berrios Machine as part of the "Son Swap." Berrios and his pals confront a major challenge in the 39th Dist., with daughter Toni Berrios facing again Will Guzzardi, who she beat by just 124 votes in 2012. New State Rep. Jaime Andrade is relying on the 33rd Ward's Mell Machine to win in the 39th Dist. Will Old Gringo deliver? In the 45th Ward, the self-proclaimed "45th Ward Mom," Michelle Baert, is serving up doses of Tender Loving Care. An Alderman -- or AlderMom -- she thinks, should be more nurturing and less combative. She must poll well if she expects Mayor Emanuel's support and money in 2015. Full Article...
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