Chicagoist: Who's Watching the City?

guest

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:46:07 -0600

the man in that photo looks like the undead.

Ward Up

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 20:35:53 -0600

Here's are some more City Hall cronies who will, in reality, do the opposite of what their department's name will claim. The usual Daley Doublespeak. "The Office of Compliance." It's part Dilbert and part George Orwell.

fed up

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:57:05 -0600

this is daley trying to control all investigations into the criminal enterprise thatis chicago city goverment the IG's office didnt do only what daley wanted so now he will take away there responsibilites and there budget will be cut to the bone next year. Daley doesnt like independence and he surely doesnt want any real investigations.

Di Urrea

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:49:41 -0600

It was obvious from the beginning that if Hoffman ran his office independently and ethically, which he has, he would butt heads with Daley. The proposed Office of Compliance is simply an attempt by Daley to neuter the IG's office. If the Office of Compliance is struck down by the courts look for Daley to retaliate by cutting funds to the IG's office.

guest

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:36:02 -0600

"And what is wrong with promising city services for votes? Isn't that THE ENTIRE POINT of aldermen? You vote them into office and they do good things for your ward. We have seen what happens when they try to legislate. I'd rather they forget the goose liver and stick to making sure the potholes get filled." A prime example of the attitude that sees government as a reward for political support, an view straight from the 19th Century. While politics and government obviously are, and should be, closely related, government applies to all citizens, not just supporters. Take this example: Say an alderman refused to fix the sidewalk on a street where the residents voted against him. That could hurt the wider ward, as it creates a tiny blight in the neighborhood--people go through the ward, for instance, and see this crumbling sidewalk, and form an impression. Besides that, it reinforces the us vs them take-no-prisoners mentality that is responsible for much of the civic and financial ills currently seen in this state and city.

guest

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:18:20 -0600

While Stone referred to the charges as "absolute crap," it seems that he's the only alderman under investigation. I just don't see how the first part of this sentence contradicts the second. Unless your goal is to discredit what the guy is saying with innuendo (which doesn't work here), shouldn't it be: Stone referred to the charges as "absolute crap." He is the only alderman under investigation. But Kevin here believes Stone is guilty of more than just being an old man and thinking his ward should have lots of nice condos. He can't prove jack, so he resorts to (failed) innuendo. And what is wrong with promising city services for votes? Isn't that THE ENTIRE POINT of aldermen? You vote them into office and they do good things for your ward. We have seen what happens when they try to legislate. I'd rather they forget the goose liver and stick to making sure the potholes get filled.

guest

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:09:40 -0600

For all of you who though the new blood on the Council would for some reason lead to more real resistance to Daley, I guess this shows you what a hopeless idea that was. Chicago's new motto: "19th Century Government in a 21st Century World."