May 31, 2017
THE MAKING AND UNMAKING OF JUDGE COOKE
It is often said that there are two great tragedies in life The first is to have one's dreams unfulfilled, and die disappointed. The second is the have one's dreams fulfilled, and die disappointed. The odyssey of Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooke exemplifies both. Cooke was a longtime cash cow for northwest side Democrats, donating over $350,000 from 2010 onward. He decided he wanted to be a judge, and was invited to move from River Forest into the Hispanic-majority 6th subcircuit, where the beneficiaries of his largess controlled slatemaking. He "loaned" his campaign $500,000 -- which immediately cleared out the field. He was nominated unopposed in the 2016 Democratic primary. Upon taking the bench, he was assigned to Traffic Court, as were all newbie judges. But Cooke was dyslexic, and could not cope. He demanded transfer elsewhere, but got assigned to Marriage Court, performing ceremonies, Then the chief judge's executive committee filed a complaint with the Judicial Inquiry Board (JIB) accusing Cooke of filling an impropper ethic statement. Cooke then resigned after 142 days on the bench. The whole episode is tragic, but the departure of "cash cow" Cooke is a real financial tragedy for Democratic committeemen. Full Article...
May 24, 2017
"VISONARY" PRITZKER'S CAMPAIGN ON TRECK TO IMPLODE
Rich guys make poor politicians. Take self-proclaimed "visionary" J. B. Pritzker, who is seeking a democratic nomination for Illinois Governor. He's worth $5-7 billion, lives in a Gold Coast mansion assessed at $12 million, and bought the next door mansion for $3.7 million. He then ripped out the toilets and sinks and, according to documents filed with the assessor, made the mansion "vacant and inhabitable," getting it's valuation sliced to $1.1 million, and saving $230,000 in property taxes. Gov. Bruce Rauner would love to run against J.B. next November. Other Illinois politicians who have "imploded" include Bill Scott, Blair Hull, Jack Ryan, and Dan Rutherford. J.B. is on track to follow them; more revelations will surly follow. Full Article...
May 17, 2017
BABY-BOOMERS' INERTIA STYMIES HOUSING MARKET VALUE RECOVERY
The Chicago area's real estate market recovery, still lethargic after a decade in the doldrums, can be aptly summarized; HURRY UP AND WAIT. Sales prices in Denver, San Francisco, Oklahoma City and Ft. Worth have rebounded to their pre-2006 levels, but not in Chicago. The glitch consists of aging baby-boomers, who are disinclined to sell until and unless prices return to 2005 levels, and Millennials, who have the desire and income to buy, but find only a limited inventory. Basically out of the market are non-salaried Hispanics, immigrants, and everybody who gets paid cash -- as the mortgage approval process is much more rigorous than during 1990-2005, when lenders gave away mortgages like lollipops. Chicago's housing "recovery," despite what realtors insist, is still a few years away. Full Article...
May 10, 2017
BIBLICAL SCRIPTURES NOT RELEVANT IN CHICAGO, 41ST WARD POLITICS
In the upcoming IL governor's race, obscure black Chicago city treasurer has emerged as a key player. After feinting that he would be the Great Black Hope, he's now endorsed white billionaire J.B. Pritzker -- and is in a position to utilize Pritzker's self-funding millions. Expect Summers to be Pritzker's 2018 lieutenant governor ticketmate, and to spend 2017-2018 blanketing Chicago's and Cook County black wards and townships. Summers is an ally of Toni Preckwinkle. Summers is in an enviable position: His goal is to be Chicago's mayor, and a 2018 statewide race -- win or lose -- will elevate his name recognition, broaden his black base, and well-position him if Rahm Emanuel quits. In the NW Side 41st Ward, Democratic committeeman Tim Heneghan, the Emanuel-Madigan candidate for alderman in 2019, has stumbled out of the starting gate; incumbent Anthony Napolitano, a relentless Emanuel critic, looks very formidable for 2019. Full Article...
May 3, 2017
OBAMA'S LEGACY IS 940 MORE REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATORS
For Republicans in the nation's state legislatures, Barack Obama's 8 years in the White House is the gift that keeps on giving. In the four elections cycles - 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 - subsequent to Obama's 2008 election, the Republicans gained an incredible 940 legislative seats throughout the country, meaning a plethora of ousted Democratic state senators and state representatives. Republicans now control 66 of the 98 partisan legislative chambers. After 2008, Republicans controlled 33. After 2016, Republicans controlled both chambers in all 14 southern legislatures - an unprecedented achievement, and an utter rejection of Obama. There may be anti-Trump "resistance" in the streets, but unless Democrats start winning some legislative contests it will be business as usual. Democrats better hope Trump will be their gift that keeps on giving. Full Article...
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