May 30, 2007
THE GUTIERREZ WATCH: WILL HE RETIRE IN 2008?
Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-4) is renowned as sneaky, wily, and a crass opportunist. But, after nearly three decades in Chicago politics, Little Luis is not deemed to be "loco." However, by retiring in 2008, Gutierrez is forfeiting the congressional platform that gives him relevance, credibility and visibility. Gutierrez aspires to be Chicago's first Hispanic mayor, and he can better achieve that goal as Chicago's only Hispanic congressman. On issues like immigration, veterans, Puerto Rican independence, and the Iraq War, Gutierrez is always worth a news pic or sound bite. A crowded 2008 Democratic primary is underway in the 4th District, which circles around Chicago, from Logan Square through Cicero/Berwyn to Pilsen and Little Village. Candidates include County Comr. Roberto Maldonado, Aldermen Ric Munoz, Manny Flores and Danny Solis, and possibly State Sen. Iris Martinez and State Rep. Susana Mendoza. Maldonado and Martinez are Puerto Rican, and from the North Side; the rest are Mexican-American, and from the South Side, except Flores, who is from the Wicker Park 1st Ward. Maldonado is the early favorite. Full Article...
May 23, 2007
DEMOCRATS LAUGH ABOUT SQUABBLING REPUBLICANS
Are Republicans in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois just dumb? Or are they dumb and dumber? In Cook County, the squabbling of Republican county commissioners Tony Peraica and Liz Gorman has spilled over into two Chicago wards: the Gold Coast 42nd and the Wicker Park/Bucktown 32nd. Gorman is now the county Republican chairman, and she ousted two appointed ward committeeman (Eloise Gerson and Kent Griffiths) who are Peraica allies. These two wards have a growing Republican vote, but are now mired in party infighting -- while Democrats laugh. Peraica is running for Cook County State's Attorney in 2008, in order to maintain his visibility for another run for county board president in 2010, when he will face Gorman in a GOP primary. Peraica said Gorman is a "wholly-owned subsidiary" of the Democratic party; Gorman said Peraica is "non-sensical and ill-spirited." Meanwhile, the Republican field for governor in 2010 is breath-takingly unimposing. Blagojevich's problems are creating a demand for his replacement -- by Democrat Lisa Madigan. Republicans are irrelevant on the Springfield scene.Full Article...
May 16, 2007
ALDERMANIC LOSERS FACE '08 COMMITTEEMAN RACES
Political aftershocks contine in numerous Chicago wards, following the April 17 aldermanic runoffs and the Feb. 27 primary. Eight aldermen lost, five being Democratic ward committeemen. When an alderman/committeeman loses his public job, he invariably loses his party post at the next primary. 30 of 50 city aldermen are committeemen. In the 41st Ward, Ralph Capparelli (D), who paid himself $418,582 from his campaign fund, runs an anemic Democratic operation, which is one reason why Brian Doherty is the city's only Republican alderman. Capparelli will retire in 2008, and make way for Tom Jaconetty. In the 50th Ward, Ald. Berny Stone's narrow (52.9%) win has some calling for him to quit as committeeman; but he wants his daughter to succeed him. U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush's (D-1) stupidity in backing Ald. Madeline Haithcock, a longtime rival, means he will get opposition for both 2nd Ward committeeman and congressman. Dorothy Tillman is a goner in the 3rd Ward, as is Bill Beavers in the 7th. Ted Matlak's defeat for alderman in the 32nd Ward dooms Committeeman Terry Gabinski, who will be ousted by State Rep. John Fritchey. There will also be battles in the 49th, 42nd and 43rd wards. Full Article...
May 9, 2007
REPUBLICANS "SURGE" IN COUNTY SUBURBAN RACES
Despite the anemic popularity of President Bush and the intractable Iraq situation, Republicans did surprisingly well on April 17 in three Cook County suburban municipal elelections, and in southern Illinois' Carbondale, where Democratic legacy Sheila Simon was defeated for mayor. In Park Ridge, Republican Mayor Howard Frimark, through his referendum to shrink the city council from 14 to 7, vaporized his Democratic opposition. Not a single Democratic alderman remains. In Morton Grove, fiscal problems and a split in the Caucus Party give the Republicans an easy win for three trustees, and makes Mayor Rick Krier an underdog in 2009. And in Harwood Heights, Mayor Peggy Fuller got a taste of what she gave her predecessor -- namely, defeat. Two of her three trustee candidates lost, and she now clings to 3-3 control of the board. Her prospects for re-election in 2009 are dim. Carbondale was a stunner: Republican Mayor Brad Cole got only 38% in the primary, to Simon's 55%. But in the runoff, Republicans poured in money, while Simon featured endorsements from Obama, Durbin, Madigan and Quinn. Cole upped his vote by almost 1,400, and beat her with 55%. Look for Cole to run for lieutenant governor in 2010. Full Article...
May 2, 2007
2007 LOSERS PLOTTING COMBACK BIDS IN 2011
It's ain't over until it's over. That's the refrain of six defeated Chicago aldermanic candidates in the 45th, 50th, 46th and 49th wards. They lost in 2007, but they're already plotting for 2011. Any aldermanic race is a referendum on the incumbent, and, as years pass, every incumbent makes more enemies. But it is difficult to wage a 4-year campaign: Aldermen deliver services. They are not identified with polarizing issues. What can a challenger do for a homeowner, renter, or business owner? So would-be aldermen need to be passive, and let the incumbent delf-destruct. In the 45th Ward, Terry Boyke and Anna Klocek are running again, and Pat Levar is the new Democratic commiteeman. In the 50th Ward, Naisy Dolar and Greg Brewer are running again. Berny Stone will retire. In the 49th Ward, Don Gordon, who lost by 227 votes, wants a new election due to vote fraud by Joe Moore's workers. And in the zany 46th Ward, where the "have nots" battle the "haves," Jim Capplemann is running again -- as will many others -- against Helen Shiller. Full Article...
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