Chicagoist: Double Dare in Cook County

James Cappleman

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 09:03:50 -0600

There are no incentives in Cook County government and Chicago City Council to fix the systems that allow corruption to flourish. That’s why it is so blatant. Could you imagine if Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton pulled some of the stunts we see in Cook County or City Council governments? They would immediately be hung out to dry, and all of us who tolerate corruptive practices here would be carrying the torches to bring them down. Why do we have a different set of standards for the politicians here? For City Council, the City Inspector General is not even allowed to investigate alleged matters of corruptive practices among the aldermen…. a decision ultimately made by City Council when they allowed the proposed ordinance to die in committee 18 years ago. We may call it a “streetwise” move on the part of the aldermen, but when I spoke to a representative from the City Inspector General’s office, she told me she knows of no other city in the U.S. that blocks such accountability. When you hear the words “Chicago politics”, what is the first thought that comes to mind? It’s probably the first thought that comes to mind to many people who live outside of Chicago and Cook County. It’s certainly what I grew up thinking about Chicago and I was raised a 1000 miles away from here. Don’t get me wrong, I love Chicago, but there’s been this long history of corruptive practices that has been tolerated and although there may be other solutions out there to fix them, they either have not surfaced or they failed. Two words: Term limits

Mikey

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 08:17:22 -0600

I was one of those fools who wrote in Claypool. But in my defense, I heard negative things about Peraica too, and didn't/don't know much about him. Knowing then what I know now, however, I would have definitely voted for Peraica if for no other reason than to keep the evil Toddler out... And I don't believe term limits is the proper solution either. The presidential term limit is already one of the most unconstitutional laws on our books. In a free and democratic society, the people should be able to elect whomever they want. Period. I do believe the system needs fixing, but not with term limits...

James Cappleman

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 19:24:42 -0600

There's a very high tolerance that the press and the public have for "street-smart" politicians who really are just people who bought into the notion that the end justifies the means. Any sense of ethical behavior be damned. The real question is why is this behavior, along with the behavior of many city elected officials tolerated? It might certainly explain the political apathy that is so present among the younger voters. A huge part of the answer will be this: Term limits, across the board.

Louis

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:40:24 -0600

Eh, Todd Stroger just looks excited to be sitting in that big boy chair. Why must those chairs be so large.

james

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:32:30 -0600

i love [no not really] people who bitch about the lack of reportage on the chicagoist, as if they tossed the chicagoist a few coins in order to read today's news and commentary. if you want to read articles where the writers ask questions, make phone calls, call back the first person and then get a comment from a third or fourth party, buy the sun-times. [i don't think the trib covers local news]. if you want a sometimes halfway intelligent musing on the news of the day and some links to longer stories about the subject at hand if you care to read/know more, then you've got your chicagoist. OK, and i don't want to scream at nice, progressive, political engaged people, but, um, to all thsoe folks who wrote in claypool in the general election...what's the h-e-double hockey sticks was your point? Those votes weren't counted, claypool didn't get a consolation prize, you don't get to live in a republic of claypool-led progressivism while everyone else toils in strogerville, so what was your point, and why waste the energy? And hey, as long as i'm at it, i'd like to know who all those nurses and doctors and hospital employees and janitors and sheriff's deputies and others who are losing their jobs, voted for. Yep, as neko case would say, thanks, thanks alot.

Kevin

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:11:50 -0600

raffor: No, I've not called Quigley for comment. My posts are based on my own observations and experience, as well as what people that know better than I do share with me. Besides, what would he have said? Mike Quigley is the biggest sell-out since $40 Lollapalooza tickets. Did you miss the part where he backed the alternative budget proposed by Claypool and Peraica, only to flip later and back Beavers and Stroger as they slashed the county budget and handed more patronage jobs to their friends and family? I have no intention of apologizing to Mike Quigley if doesn't vote for Dunnings Lewis. He's a big boy, in the world of county politics. I think he can take a little rough handling from a blogger.

raffor

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:58:54 -0600

Kevin, 1) Have you called Quigley's office for comment? Your posts always seem to be heavy on hearsay/mindreading but shy on actual factfinding. 2) If Quigley does not vote for Dunnings, contrary to your cynical prediction as to his motives, will you apologize?

mark

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:37:01 -0600

2 words: Term limits

thundercougarfalconbird

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:01:24 -0600

It makes me sort of sad that every post Chicagoist does about the CTA or the Olympics automatically gets 30-40+ comments from people arguing from all sides (me included) when this guy easily deserves just as much shit-piling. Kevin, your political posts are fantastic and you seem to know a ton. Does Cook County have any sort of recall or recourse for this? I know it'd be an uphill climb but just a high-profile petition drive of some sort about a year before he's up for reelection would pretty damaging. And I agree with Joe. Not just in New York, but in LA and SF as well, republicans typically tend to be moderate to liberal politicians who are more about small government than serving big business or fundamentalist christian interests. In other words the type of republicans that would make me switch parties.

Chuck

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:25:35 -0600

As a born-and-bred resident of this city it's always stymied me why we tend to look the other way at the arrogance of our politicians, so long as we're taken care of in the process. What Stroger is doing is going beyond arrogance into the rarefied air of royal and/or nepotic privilege. This rank hubris with which he and his allies carry themselves could be the just what the doctor ordered to shake the citizens of this county into action and remove Todd Stroger and his ilk. Hopefully, most of us will live to see that happen.

MJK

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:54:55 -0600

Daley not supporting Claypool was the breaking point. And it sucks because Claypool was a loyal employee of Daley for several years and showed his promise with turning around the Park District. Daley supported Stroger because he knew he would need the demographic vote in the near future. As long as they are playing that game, Stroger will be in office. And the people that will not get the message as to how crooked Stroger is are the very ones that will still vote for him. He really presses the flesh in the NW suburbs, that's for sure. I just hope Claypool gives another crack at it next time around. You can disagree with me. I'm with you on this, but it's a fact. He's in it for life. We'll have to look at the F'n smug grin for the rest of his corrupt career. Or until we graduate to Lake, Dupage, and Kendall county.

Joe

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:47:22 -0600

Claypool was not a write-in candidate so votes for him were wasted. Local Democratic officials laugh at people who don't dare vote for another party. If you vote for the guy with the (R) after his name you don't have to tell anyone and you can retain your PC cred. Look at New York. They are solid blue city like Chicago, but their voters looked past party to elect Giuliani and Bloomberg. With two strong opposing parties NY doesn't get near the corruption and cronyism Chicago does with Daley and Stroger.

Marty

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:11:51 -0600

It is too bad more Republicans like myself did not request a Democrat ballot in the Stroger vs. Claypool primary, as if they did Todd would never have won. A non-partisan election as is done for mayor and alderman is the only way he will ever not be re-elected. The county is too Democratic for a GOP win and Democrat leaders will never back anyone else but Todd.

ja

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:53:22 -0600

Actually, I disagree with MJK, please keep reminding everybody what a crook Stroger is and maybe people will begin to pay attention. Yes, it's a long shot to beat a Dem in the general, but there is the primary. Claypool was close. A steady stream of reports of Strogers antics may help push him (or someone else) over the hump. Please let this happen, or I may cast my first vote for a Republican (I wrote in Claypool for the general).

MJK

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:13:21 -0600

Chicagoist, Save your breath (or fingers) complaining about Stroger. The people of this fair county are too stupid to read the fine print. You'll be writing about this idiot's appointments and contract grants until he ends up stuffed and marionetted just like his father. This is what happens in a blue state, county, and city. People vote for the party and not the participant. Peraica was the first time, and only time, I ever voted republican. If I have to vote communist in the next election, I will do so to get this crooked bastard out of office. Never has crooked politics looked so obvious in this city. At least William Thompson made his opponents part of the concrete projects he granted.

james

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:47:37 -0600

as much as i hate to say it, ... oh hell, i don't hate to say it, because the people who voted for stroger deserve to hear it again and again -- now, why exactly did you vote against peraica???