July 30, 2014
ILLINOIS ON VERGE OF BECOMING AMERICA'S MOST-DEMOCRATIC STATE
When it comes to electing Democrats to major statewide office, Illinois' voters are like the proverbial three monkeys: Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. A Democratic governor is impeached, indicted, convicted and imprisoned. So what? Let's elect another Democrat. The governor and legislative leaders bicker, squabble and accomplish next to nothing. Even the "pension reform" bill has been invalidated by a judge. So what? Let's keep them in power. Pay-to-play? Mushrooming state indebtedness? $10 billion annually for pensions by 2016? The speaker's daughter as attorney general? In other Democratic states -- Hawaii, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maryland, Rholde Island -- with lopsidedly Democratic legislatures, there are occasional checks-and-balances, achieved through occasionally electing a Republican governor to check a rapacious legislature. Not in Illinois. Just elect more Democratic state senators and representatives. If Gov. Pat Quinn (D) beats Bruce Rauner (R), Illinois will be America's most chronically and irredeemably Democratic state. Full Article...
July 23, 2014
"CULLERTON'S RETIREMENT PAVES WAY FOR SPOSATO
Nothing lasts forever. But Chicago's Cullerton Dynasty has lasted for 144 years. The first Cullerton was elected to the city council in 1871. When the 38th Ward was created in 1931, P.J. (Parky) Cullerton grabbed the seat, and the Clan has held it continuously since 1935 - 80 years. Now the last legacy, Alderman Tim Cullerton, is quitting, and there are no more siblings or offspring to claim the post. Demographic, ethnic and political changes have taken a toll. Precinct captains are extinct. The ward's next alderman will be Nick Sposato. Full Article...
July 16, 2014
"UNDERWHELMING" DESCRIBES LOOMING 2015 CHICAGO RACES
As 2014's mid-summer doldrums arrive and the 2015 Chicago municipal elections loom, "underwhelming" is the operative adjective. "Underwhelming" describes the records of Chicago's two baseball teams. Both the White Sox and the Cubs will finish with record in the bottom third among the 30 Major League teams. "Underwhelming" characterizes the 4-year record of the administration of Rahm Emanuel and the mayor's political acumen. For a guy who learned his politics at the knee of Bill Clinton, Emanuel has been a disappointment. Full Article...
July 9, 2014
INCONSEQUENTIAL, INFLUENTIAL POLITICIANS RECALLED
Over the 41 years that I've been writing this political column, I've been periodically asked my opinion as the the area's most influential -- and most inconsequential -- politicians. Those who have an agenda fixated on getting elected and/or re-elected, I deem inconsequential. Examples are Roman Pucinski, Pat Quinn, George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich, Dick Mell and Dick Durbin. They contribute nothing to the public discourse. They live to run. Those who have an agenda focused on issues, I deem influential. Examples are Henry Hyde, Abner Mikva and Sid Yates. In the netherworld is Dan Rostenkowski, who had the power to shape America's tax policies, but was brought down by chiseling on postage stamps. Here's a laundry lost. Full Article...
July 2, 2014
"POLITICS AIN'T BEANBAG" IN CHICAGO'S 39TH WARD
In Chicago's 39th Ward, "politics ain't beanbag." It's the Laurino Family business. And, as Mike Stirk found to his chagrin, dire consequences await those who mess with the Laurinos. Stirk, a North Mayfair Improvement Assoc. board member, publicly and repeatedly criticized Ald. Marge Laurino, and was pondering a 2015 aldermanic bid. After he met with a mayoral aide to discuss Foster Ave. safety issues, he got fired from his job as a civil engineeer. He said the alderman caused it. Laurino denies it. Potholes, aircraft noise, and traffic safety are serious issues. But Stirk isn't going to be discussing them. He just decided to move to Wisconsin, giving Laurino a free pass in 2015. Full Article...
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