January 15, 2020
LOTS AND LOTS OF "WASTE" AT MWRD
There is a whole lot of WASTE at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), both literally and figuratively. The MWRD collects and disposes of 280 million pounds of human solid waste annually, shipping it Downstate as fertilizer, and 500 billion gallons of effluent, treating it and sending it down to the Gulf of Mexico. It also has 9 do-nothing commissioners who collect $650,000 in annual salaries, plus benefits. Politicians never waste an opportunity.to benefit from waste disposal, There is a 10-person Democratic primary for 3 seats in 2020. The Preckwinkle slate is in trouble, with dumped Comr. Frank Avila's campaign calling her "racist." Here is an analysis. Full Article...
January 8, 2020
IRRITATION AWAITS AND WILL ABOUND AS 2020 CANDIDATE FILING CLOSES
Editor's note: Russ Stewart is taking the week off. Nadig Newspapers is reprinting a column published on Dec. 4, 2019, after candidate filing for the 2020 primary election in March has ended. Full Article...
January 1, 2020
"USEFULNESS" INDEX APPLIES TO AREA LEGISLATIVE RACES
For politicians there are two kinds of people: Those who are useful and those who are not. Most are not, but the useful are indispensable. Some serious 2020 legislative contests are developing on Chicago’s Northwest Side and suburbs, and a usefulness spreadsheet is required to differentiate the U-plusses from the U-minuses. In the 3rd, 16th, 19th and 20th Illinois House districts, resigned former state representatives Luis Arroyo (D-3), Rob Martwick (D-19), Mike McAuliffe (R-20) and Lou Lang (D-16) – all committeepersons --are useful to and for their appointed successors, respectively, Eva-Dina Delgado, Lindsey LaPointe and Brad Stephens, as well as Denyse Wang Stoneback, who is running against Lang’s appointed successor. Speaker Mike Madigan is useful to Mark Kalish, who has Lang’s seat, and to LaPointe, as it is Madigan’s policy to bankroll and support all Democratic incumbents. Delgado was appointed contrary to Madigan’s wishes, so he may be un-useful. Here's an analysis of area House races and of the 10th senate contest. Full Article...
December 25, 2019
RUSS STEWART REMINISCES ABOUT WRITING FOR 35 YEARS
Editor's note: Russ Stewart is off this week. Nadig Newspapers is reprinting a column that was published on July 16, 2008, more than a decade ago, in which Stewart marks 35 years as a political columnist. The views expressed here are Mr. Stewart's and do not reflect the views of Nadig Newspapers. Full Article...
Previous Articles