February 22, 2006
"DARWINISM" EXPLAINS INTENSE MWRD RACE
Off-the-wall as it may sound, an inkling of Darwinism is alive and well at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). Evolutionists assert an unguided natural selection of the species, and survival of the fittest, while creationists insist that God created the world around 4000 B.C. But now there are those who advocate "intelligent design" -- namely: that the universe is so complex that only a designer could create it. In Chicago and Cook County, intelligent design reigns supreme: Original clout begat the favoritism and family connections that begets ongoing control. But sheer, dumb, blind luck -- Darwinism -- may be enough to win one or more of the nine MWRD commissioner slots, which pay $50,000, require attendance at 2 meetings per month, and are a steppingstone to higher office. Nine candidates seek nomination in the 3/21/06 Democratic primary. There's a slate (O'Brien-Harris-Pedersen) loyal to the Daley Machine, and there's a bunch of independents-- Frank Avila, Debra Shore, Dean Maragos, Pat Horton, Lewis Powell. Don't be surprised if there's some upsets. Full Article...
February 15, 2006
MADIGAN FLEXES MUSCLE TO NOMINATE MANGIERI
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has launched Phase One of daughter Lisa Madigan's 2010 campaign for governor of Illinois. The elder Madigan, who is chairman of the state Democratic party, is flexing his muscle and putting the screws to Chicago and suburban committeemen to deliver for Paul Mangieri in the March 21 primary. Mangieri, the obscure state's attorney from Downstate Knox County, is facing Alexi Giannoulias, who has been endorsed by Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson Jr. No Downstater holds any statewide constitutional office, and Madigan wants to placate them. He's trying hard, and Downstate party leaders appreciate it. Madigan will get his packback in 2010, when Downstaters will back Lisa Madigan, the state attorney general, for governor. Other key Democratic primaries will occur in the 3rd and 6th congressional districts, and the 33rd Illinois Senate district. Full Article...
February 8, 2006
CITY COUNCIL IS STILL UNDER DALEY'S THUMB
Contrary to Dick Simpson's study, Chicago's city council is still firmly under Mayor Rich Daley's thumb. And it will stay there until a new mayor is elected. Chicago has a weak mayor/strong council system, and the council has power over the city's $5.1 billion budget, and the pay rate of every city employee. But unlike the Vrdolyak 29, or the Grey Wolves, the current (2003-07) council is a bunch of Snoozing Opossums. It would take 26 gutsy aldermen to defy the mayor on major issues, and seize control, but rarely more than 10 ever do so. On symbolic, wholly irrelevant votes like the Patriot Act, Iraq War, and slave reparations, dissent is apparent. On the smoking ban, Wal-Mart, and affordable housing, dissent is palpable. But on the key votes, like the mayor's budget and tax and fee hikes, the Shakman Decree, and Soldier Field, it's the Meek 40 who show up. And Northwest Side aldermen definitely number among the meek. Click to view NORTHWEST SIDE ALDERMANIC VOTE CHART (2000-2005). Full Article...
February 1, 2006
STROGER COULD BE VICTIM OF DALEY'S "MELTDOWN"
For Cook County Board President John Stroger, who is seeking renomination to a fourth term in the March 21, 2006 Democratic primary, the news ranges from bad to dreadful to abominable. First, the primary is a referendum on him. He faces just one foe: Commissioner Forrest Claypool. Back in 1994, Stroger beat two foes with 47.1%, but he wasn't the incumbent, and he had Daley Machine support. Second, he got a minority of the vote in 1994 -- even though he got 82.3% of the black vote, 26.4% on the Northwest Side, 33.4% on the Southwest Side, 39.5% on the Lakefront, and 34.7% in the suburbs. He has to kick that up by at least 5% to win in 2006. And third, the meltdown of the Daley political organization will cost Stroger the manpower he needs to win a sizeable vote in white areas. Claypool is the "reform" candidate, and will shape the race as an opportunity for "change." Expect Claypool to score a 55-45% upset. And a Stroger loss will be a definite blow to the mayor and his 2007 re-election hopes. ACCESS THE VOTE CHART with this article, entitled 1994 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTE CHART. Full Article...
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