June 28, 2006
"DALEY PARTY" ALDERMEN APPREHENSIVE ABOUT 2007
Chicago has a one-party system, and that party is the Daley Party. So what happens when Chicago voters finally become nauseated by pervasive government corruption? Do they throw out all the pro-Daley aldermen, as well as the mayor? If so, that would mean virtually every alderman. To date, 44 have been indicted, and 37 found guilty in the Hired Truck scandal. Historically, Chicago aldermen rarely lose. In the past seven elections, 268 of 302 incumbents have won (88.7%). In 2003, 93.7% of the incumbents won, and in 1999 it was 97.5%. But 2007 could be a volatile election, much like 1979, when Jane Byrne won. It looks like anti-Daley candidates will surface in most of the 50 wards. An anti-Daley "wave" could arise, and if it sweeps Rich Daley out of City Hall, it could take a bunch of his aldermen with him. Full Article...
June 21, 2006
NILES' NEW REALITY: LIFE AFTER NICK BLASE
Is there life after Nick Blase? The 45-year mayor of Niles was indicted June 8 on one count of mail fraud, and allegedly was part of a long term scheme to pressure village businesses to buy insurance from a firm that kicked back part of their commissions to a shell corporation controlled by Blase. Niles' slogan is: Where People Count. Now residents ask: How many more counts will be brought by the feds against their mayor? The U.S. Attorney will surely "pile on" if Blase resists a guilty plea -- adding racketeering, conspiracy, extortion, more mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. What about Life After Blase? Niles has had two mayors in the past 65 years, and Blase has been mayor since 1961. The job pays $4,000 annually. But four contenders have emerged: Trustee Andy Przybylo, village attorney Joe Annunzio, park board executive director Joe LoVerde, all Democrats, and Niles Township Supervisor Bob Dudycz. Niles is a largely Democratic town, but if a flock of Democrats run, a Republican like Dudycz could win with just 35% of the vote. Full Article...
June 14, 2006
"THREE WISE MEN" PASS TORCH IN 19TH WARD
They're called the "Three Wise Men," and they've been wise enough to overcome the Geezer Rule. In Chicago and Cook County Democratic politics, too many aging politicians hang on until they are carried out, wheel-chaired out, or booted out by the voters. In Chicago's 19th Ward, on the far Southwest Side, that will not happen. The Three Wise Men -- former county Assessor Tom Hynes, outgoing county Sheriff Mike Sheahan, and mega-lobbyist Jeremiah Joyce -- have already used their considerable power to advance their legacies or protégés. Tom Hynes got son Dan ensconced as state comptroller; Jeremiah Joyce got son Kevin elected as the local state representative; and Mike Sheahan got protégé Tom Dart slated and nominated to be his successor as sheriff. Back in their 19th Ward, they bequeathed their power to Matt O'Shea, who succeeded Tom Hynes as ward Democratic committeeman in 2005, with the blessing of Sheahan and Joyce. Now the Three Wise Men can trot off into the sunset, while the next generation of Irish-American politicians maintain the pro-Daley 19th Ward Machine. Full Article...
June 7, 2006
"LAURINO DYNASTY" STILL DOMINANT IN 39TH WARD
The 39th Ward, on Chicago's Northwest Side, is a study in contradictions. Demographically, it ain't what it used to be. But politically, it is what it used to be. A generation ago, community activists were battling to stop the Crosstown Expressway and curb Green Acres' development. Now, community affluence has replaced activism. More than a generation ago, in the 1950s, Tony Laurino moved into the ward from the West Side, became alderman in 1965, and founded the Laurino Dynasty, which is still dominant. Despite Tony Laurino's 1995 indictment for arranging "ghost" payroller jobs for 35 of his family and friends (including his wife, daughter Marie, step-daughter, and son-in-law), daughter Marge Laurino, his aide for 15 years, won the 1995 aldermanic race, and has been impregnable since. Like her dad, she focuses and providing services, and that suits her politically unmotivated constituents just fine. Marge's husband, Randy Barnette, is Democratic ward committeeman. And Marge's nephew (and Tony's grandson), John D'Amico, is the state representative. The Laurino Dynasty is hale and hearty in its fifth decade. Full Article...
Previous Articles