April 28, 2010
ALDERMAN LEVAR INTERVIEWED: NO "LEVER FATIGUE" IN 45TH WARD

After 24 years as alderman of the Northwest Side 45th Ward, Pat Levar wants four more. He's running again in 2011. The question is: Has Levar made himself indispensable, or has he become intolerable? This column is a Q&A with the alderman, who is a loyal cog in the Daley Machine, and a near-automatic pro-Daley vote in the city council. There is plenty of so-called "blight" in the ward's commercial areas, which Levar attributes largely to the economic recession. Levar extols a long list of accomplishments, and said he is running because he "enjoys helping people." He has no specific goals or vision for his next term, and called himself a "nuts-and-bolts" alderman. In the interview, Levar responds to questions concerning commercial decay in Jefferson Park, Portage Park/Six Corners, Gladstone Park and Forest Glen. Levar was elected in 1987, and re-elected 5 times. "I have never been in a runoff," he said. But the numbers are not auspicious: In 2003, he won 17 precincts with more than 70%; in 2007, none. In 2003, he had under 50% in 6 precincts; in 2007, 15. Is there creeping "Levar fatigue"? Full Article...


April 21, 2010
BERRIOS, CLAYPOOL BLAME EACH OTHER FOR IMMINENT PROPERTY TAX HIKE

Build a Noah's Ark. A deluge is imminent. The operative word is "nasty." Residential property owners in Cook County can expect a nasty surprise when they receive their 2009 2nd installment tax bills, probably after the Nov. 2 election. Their taxes will undoubtedly soar by 10-25%, certainly more than $1,000 per parcel. Meanwhile, county voters will be treated to a nasty campaign for assessor between Democrat Joe Berrios and Independent Forrest Claypool, a Democratic county commissioner -- both of whom are pre-emptively blaming each other for the anticipated hikes. Berrios blames the "Houlihan Hoax," a bill sponsored by Claypool which supposedly reduced assessed valuations. Claypool blames the "culture of corruption," and Berrios' -- and the Board of Review's -- pay-to-play propensities. It takes a minimum of 25,000 to get on the ballot, and Berrios' lawyers will do their untmost to disqualify him. The filing deadline in June 21. "That's typical," said Claypool. Berrios got only 39.2% in the 2/2/10 primary -- an anemic showing for the county Democratic chairman, who spent $1 million. The outlook: Berrios wins if he keeps Claypool off the ballot. Claypool wins if discontented voters decide that Berrios is 2010's Bogeyman. If on the ballot, Claypool is the early favorite. Full Article...


April 14, 2010
"ARSENIC PARTY, "NOT TEA PARTY, DEFINES LOCAL REPUBLICANS

Republicans in Cook County love to pulverize and cannibalize their enemies -- especially each other. Why battle Democrats when it's so much more satisfying to destroy other Republicans? This November (2010) should be a resoundingly successful Republican year, with "Tea Party" fervor motivating turnout. But Republicans are already self-destructing. In the 1st Board of Review district, Dan Patlak barely beat Sean Morrison, widely considered to be a Democratic "shill," who was supported by a clique of southwest suburban "Vrdolyak Republicans." The BOR can reduce property tax assessments. A Republican can win the seat, which is mostly suburban. But Patlak will lose if Morrison backers serreptitiously aid incumbent Democrat Brendan Houlihan. In northwest suburban Maine Township, the party is in tatters. Committeeman Mark Thompson effected a truce between warring moderates and conservatives in 2009. But then his longtime ally, State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, decided she wanted Thompson's job so she can annoint her successor, and allied herself with the conservatives, busting the "deal." Mulligan beat Thompson, and will soon depart. In the 16th and 17th county board districts, the ongoing battle between county commissioners Liz Gorman and Tony Peraica shows no sign of abating, and Peraica -- who ran for board president (2006) and state's attorney (2008) -- could lose. Full Article...


April 7, 2010
"JUDGEMAKER'S" EXPERTISE MOLDS COUNTY JUDICIARY

Every lawyer dreams of being a judge. In Cook County, there are 40,000 attornneys, and 445 judges -- one in 90. Yet most lawyers are utterly clueless about the process of becoming a judge: 500 signatures on nominating petitions; run as a Democrat; get "qualified" by bar associations; get slated by the Democrats; have an Irish surname; schmooze with Democratic committeemen and donate money; win the primary. And, most importantly, hire Mike Tierney, the county's legendary "Judgemaker." Over the past 11 election cycles, since 1990, Tierney has handled the campaigns of 45 lawyers, and 40 of them are now a judge -- an astounding 89% success rate. Tierney knows the players and knows the process. Of the 445 judges, 294 are elected, and there's usually 20 judgeships on the primary ballot, either countywide or in the 15 subcircuits, every two years. Irish surnames are obligatory; weird-sounding names always lose. Democratic slating is of dubious value. Irish-surnamed females have a huge edge. Since 1998, in 166 races, a woman has won 76 (45.7%). But for any would-be judge who wants to elevate their chances of victory, there is a simple solution: Hire the Judgemaker. Full Article...


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