January 28, 2015
'"TAG TEAM'S" GOAL IS TO FORCE O'CONNOR RUNOFF
Here's a "scouting report" on 41st Ward Ald. Mary O'Connor's re-election plIght. She's known as "Mary No Peep" in the Council, where she utters nary a word, and has a 98% pro-Emanuel voting record. She voted against the mayor only twice: on the minimum wage hike and the plastic bag ban. How much will Rahm spend to keep her? In 2011, Emanuel got only 42.3% of the 41st Ward vote, finishing behind Gery Chico. Her two opponents -- firefighter Anthony Napolitano and hardware store owner Joe Lomanto -- insist that both the alderwoman and mayor are grossly unpopular. Her "constituant service is atrocious," said Napolitano. "The ward is underserved and over-taxed," said Lomanto. The N&L Boys' goal is to hold O'Connor under 50% on February 24, then unite behind the second-placer to beat her in the April 7 runoff. It could happen. Full Article...
January 21, 2015
'SCOUTING REPORT' ISSUED ON 45TH WARD CAMPAIGN
45th Ward Ald. John Arena knows the difference between right and wrong: He's right, and everybody else is wrong. Elected by 30 votes in 2011, Arena has been a polarizing politician who is beloved by Portage Park "progressives" and the public sector unions (SEIU, AFSCME, CTU), while detested by the Emanuel Administration and more conservative folks in Jefferson Park and Gladstone Park. Interesting combination. Is the ward a wasteland? Or on the rebound? The SEIU plans to spend $400,000 to re-elect Arena. Also on the rebound is John Garrido, the 2011 loser, who criticizes airplane noise and potholes. Also, running are Michelle Baert ("45th Ward Mom") and Mike Diaz. The breakout appears to be 40-45% (Arena) to 25% (Garrido) and 15% (Baert). Emanuel has no horse in this contest. Here's a "scouting report." Full Article...
January 14, 2015
EMANUEL ALLIES, ENEMIES BATTLE IN CHICAGO SOUTH SIDE BLACK WARDS
For black South Side aldermen, 2015 is not 1983. Emanuel is not as reviled as Byrne. Willie Wilson is no Harold. And the mayor is going to spend a lot of money to re-elect his loyal black puppets. The city's $55 billion pension shortfall means Rahm needs their votes to ram through property tax hikes. Of the 14 South Side Wards, nasty races have developed in the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 21st wards. Emanuel is targeting Hairston, Sawyer and Foulkes, but "independent" Dave Moore will win the 17th, Sandi Jackson's C-O-S will win the 7th, and a white Daley aide will take the 2nd. February 24 will not be great day for Rahm. Full Article...
January 7, 2015
"PLANTATION POLITICS," SCHOOL CLOSINGS ARE ISSUES IN 29TH, 37TH WARDS
"Coloration" is a delicate subject among African-Americans, be it racial or political. In Chicago's upcoming aldermanic election, especially on the West Side, the colors are green, white and black. It's green, as in Color of Money. With the collapse of patronage, black Democratic committeemen have discovered that they now need to pay people to work precincts, and it's the white politicians -- like Emanuel, Madigan, Cullerton -- who have the money. There a few Washington Era politicians, like Rush and Davis, who stress black empowerment, not black accommodation. Contests in the West Side 29th and 37th Wards will test whether "plantation politics" is still alive in west Austin, and whether the unions can oust Mitts in east Austin. Full Article...
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