Chicagoist: Palatine Gets Serious

fed up

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:27:15 -0600

maybe people would have voted for claypool if not for all the lies coming out of the stroger camp that the old man was ok. No probabley not the morons in cook co vote how there told by the ward and precinct capt's so you get what you deserve.just like lemmings marching toward the cliff

Seanfeld

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:07:35 -0600

Scooter Libby: What I want to say is that people should have voted for Claypool in the Primary instead of voting as a Republican then they could make their choice between Peraica and Claypool during the general, but what was most important at the time and would have made the biggest amount of change in the area was to take your chance on voting Claypool during that primary.

Pinko

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:41:22 -0600

"suburb" Let's break that down, shall we? sub=a prefix derived from Latin, meaning "under", "below" or "less than"... urbs=a noun derived from Latin, meaning "city"... So a suburb is that which is below or less than a city. My point here? Palatine, Schaumburg, Skokie, Palos Hills, Elmwood Park, Wilmette, Crestwood, Arlington Heights, etc. would all be crummy little towns hardly worth mentioning were it not for the beating heart that is Chicago. So quit your goddamn whining and deal with it!! And that's my drunk thought of the day. How'd I do, Spook?

Scooter Libbby

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:26:16 -0600

seanfeld: Didn't you mean to attack everyone in the burbs that didn't vote for Peraica or Claypool [in the March 2006 primary], or for that matter, were too fucking lazy to come out & vote at all! If they had voted in the Dem primary, Claypool would have won & we wouldn't be in this mess!

leomemorial

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:29:37 -0600

WE should all join in and seperate from Crook County. I live in Clearing by Midway. Let's create a new County...

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:48:42 -0600

Jimbo: I hope you and others who share your views are right. Thanks for sharing your insight with me. I appreciated the conversation, or whatever the heck it was.

jimbo

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:41:34 -0600

Matilda: the 45% can do nothing - absolutely nothing - because the other 55% is made up of one voice and will remain that way until the suburbs grow in population to overcome the city. i don't think we'll see that anytime soon, but it will be interesting to see what happens if and when that becomes the case. i don't think that palatine will succeed, but a guaranteed drop in tax rates and an increase in county services will be hard to pass up for voters if it actually went up for referendum. in fact, i don't see any reason to think that if it went up for vote, it wouldn't pass. the general citizen is pretty dumb, but not dumb enough to ignore that a 6.something% tax rate is significantly better than 10.something%

jimbo

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:32:48 -0600

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:17:38 -0600

Mepps: Good points, but if the suburbs had more unified power, they could at least mount a harder fight against the Chicago machine, don't you think? At least the 'burbs could give him constipation or something, I guess. Nice point about Metra, too. Well, I don't know what to say except those who think Palatine's action will lead to some change are likely to be disappointed. Mind you, I pretty much agree with Palatine in its complaints. I did all I could to get the assholes off the County board, as I've done in city contests as well. Wish I could do more. It can feel hopeless sometimes, even if it really isn't.

JuliaPorter

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:06:35 -0600

While it's just as much Chicago's fault as Palatine's that the Toddler got elected, it's a very valid point to say they are just as much to blame for the predicament as Chicago. They're acting like Chicago had the only voice in the election of the Cook County Board president, when in reality, the fine people of Palatine had the opportunity to present a strong pro-Peraica voting bloc. I'm pretty sure they didn't. (if they did, mea culpa.) They're stuck with the blame, too, and should maybe quit acting like government is something that just "happens" to them.

mepps

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:04:47 -0600

"I think the important mayors could actually stick together on some issues--says, push harder for Metra expansion. And the suburban mayors could work more closely with the city on regional planning--a pipe dream, but it does happen in other regions. As well, the suburbs could push harder for reform candidates on the country board." First, Metra expansion isn't something everybody wants, I've worked closely on this issue and it has nothing to do with city vs suburb mentality or a lack of cohesion or 'sticking together' as suburbs. Second, you really think the Mayor of Chicago gives two shits about working with suburbs on things that will benefit the suburbs? Third, don't you think all the reform candidates as possible are on the board...remember Beavers just called all of them racists for opposing the budget?- It's called an election, people get elected not appointed. Matilda, why can't you work harder in Chicago to get more reform candidates on the county seat??!!

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:55:28 -0600

Mepps: First, Palatine's mouse roar has been tried before, with similar results. I think the important mayors could actually stick together on some issues--says, push harder for Metra expansion. And the suburban mayors could work more closely with the city on regional planning--a pipe dream, but it does happen in other regions. As well, the suburbs could push harder for reform candidates on the country board. Anything is better than the current mouse's roar, I think. And no, I doubt Palatine's action will have any affect on the next county budget or any future tax increase. How exactly would it? Do you think Daley and Stroger and their corrupt allies are worried about what Palatine is saying? Hell, they don't care what people in the city think. Sure, Stroger, I think, was scheduled to adddress the village board in Palatine, but that's just easy PR for him, and will allow him to act like a nice guy in TV. I doubt anything substantial will come of it.

mepps

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:01:01 -0600

Seanfeld- Did you really just blame suburban republicans for putting Stroger in power?!?! Yeah, nevermind how democrats have voted for these machinsists over...ummmm.... I don't know... the last 50 YEARS!!! Why don't you just blame the smart democrats like yourself for not voting for peraica or more republicans?! Matilda- I understand what your point about sending a message and realism. But on that same note, give us an example of how a suburb would get something done 'against' the county? You have to start somewhere! Plus, I really don't think this is only about a message and it ends there. Next time these shmucks in the county seats want to pass a budget like this, don't you think this whole episode with Palatine will get brought up again? This would therefore turn into accomplishing something at least. Sitting idly by won't do anything, and building a coalition of surrounding suburbs doesn't just happen- you have to start somewhere and this is a good of place as any.

Seanfeld

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:40:35 -0600

I give them credit it's something, but frankly the suburbs lost their shot at having a voice or reform when they didn't come out and vote for Claypool. They had a choice to back Peraica who everyone knew could not win enough of Chicago to win or to vote Claypool and have a shot at reform. You can thank every suburban voter who voted for Peraica for the situation we are in now. That was the most important vote in about the last 50 years of Cook County politics, a chance for change and suburban voters didn't step up to the plate. You go to the suburbs and ask a dozen people if they have heard of Claypool if one person says yes I would be surprised and yet he had significant support in the city and would have at least meant the end of the 8th ward political machine. You reap what you sow, next time maybe people in the suburbs will pay attention to the county election otherwise get ready for 20% sales tax next time around, idiocy pure idiocy.

I_h8_toyota_and_BT

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:22:24 -0600

I just hope that if breakaway Reagan County succeeds in breaking away that Cook County socks them, Hard. There is going to be a pretty hefty bill for reagan county. Hope the taxpayers of Palatine enjoy that. And I would never, ever live in a county named for that racist old coot.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:14:53 -0600

Jimbo: I disagree with nothing you say, but don't discount what that other 45% can do. Listen, I am a city dweller who wants the 'burbs to have more voice. I guess I just don't think Palantine's method will amount to anything. Do you think Palatine will really break away? As much as I would love to see Cook County get a much needed kick in the ass, I am skeptical about the prospects of Palatine's move. But perhaps I am missing something, some aspect of the story not yet reported, or some area of history I have not considered. I am listening. I think we are talking about two different things here. You are talking more about idealism--the need to send a message--while I am talking about realism--why this message will not lead to change. Please tell me if I am wrong. God, I would love to be wrong. Cook County is hopelessly broken. If I'm wrong, we all get drunk on my dime and drink to (uh) Palatine.

jimbo

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:08:21 -0600

Matilda: it's good and great to talk about the suburbs coming together to forge some kind of leadership amongst them, but outside of having a group hug, nothing will be accomplished due to the fact that the city of chicago will still make up around 55% of the county's population. i think it's safe to say - and i'll admit that i have no data to back this up - that there is a large contingent of cook county townships/cities/villages/etc. that are net gains, as opposed to losses tax-wise. i'm sure palatine is one of them. in my opinion this is great - palatine is saying that they do not need the county's inflated taxes that support corruption, no-bid contracts, and perpetuate machine politics. if, and i know that's a big if, palatine succeeds - it's only a matter of time until other boarder cities do it as well.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:38:31 -0600

Mepps: What exactly is Palatine accomplishing with this? I don't understand. Leadership is many things. Sometimes it is going your own way, standing up when others are against you and pulling along enough supporters to change things. Other times, is creating a group of like-minded cities, institutions, blocs, whatever, and laying the groundwork for slow change over time. Whatever leadership is, it seems this lonely hissy fit about Cook County is not it, as it really has not chance to change anything. Does this work as a protest? Perhaps. But instead of saying something that nearly everyone knows--Cook County's government sucks, as does Chicago's, facts know for decades, at least in the 'bubs--why not spend that time, energy and free press on something more substantial, like a stronger and more coherant political voice for the 'burbs? This isn't sticking it to the city, as Jmagic says. The city doesn't give a fuck, and I can't imagine Daley or anyone else is too worried. Fire? What fire does Palatine have besides a few days of free press and blowing off steam? Am I missing something?

jmagic

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:26:49 -0600

Like I said before ... I like the idea of sticking this to the city. I think they have a good argument here and they should stick it up Stroger and the board's collective ass. It's time that someone fight fire with fire. That said, Stroger and Co. collective reaction - yawn.

mepps

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:09:20 -0600

"..Palatine should work harder with its neighbors to create regional initiatives--" So in your book this is what leadership is? Yet on the other hand, you believe Palatine and others should follow Chicago's lead in 'getting things done'?- Chicago, the king of my way or the highway leadership initiatives? No, Palatine probably will not secede, but at least they are trying to do something about the mockery of a local government we are handed, if all fails at least they send a message and get people to notice. Which, if they stood by silently like most voters and politicians of this area, we would keep getting more little Strogers and Beavers over and over again. So if you don't want to call this little finger in the eye a form of leadership, thats fine. Keep voting the way you have, and doing nothing.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:57:54 -0600

Mepps: First, I doubt Palatine will be able to break away. Second, I understand the city's frustration. I live in Chicago and I have major problems with Cook County goverment, to say the least. But that said, Palatine is not showing leadership, only throwing a hissy fit. Palatine should work harder with its neighbors to create regional initiatives--transit being the obvious recent example, economic development another--instead of engaging in this standard ritual of having a hissy fit. As it stands, the suburbs work poorly together on regional problems despite the various agencies (paper tigers) devoted to such work, one reason Chicago seems to call the shots--divide and conquer does work, after all. I think the 'burbs should have a stronger political voice, but so far, no suburban leader has had the talent or stones to step up. In short, the politics has failed so far. Leadership involves more than tilting at windmills, which is what Palatine is doing. The city leaders are merely throwing a hissy fit on this one, a hissy fit about a vote--as disgusting as it was--that generally followed the spirit and procedures of representative democracy. Everyone gets to blow off steam and agree with one another that Stroger and company suck, but in the end, nothing changes. But hey, if you don't believe me, I will be the first to buy drinks in celebration of Reagan County, or an expanded Lake County, or whatever Palatine thinks might happen. And I won't buy PBR, either. Good whiskey and good beer, whatever you want.

mepps

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:34:32 -0600

"What I mean is the 'burbs, instead of resisting ideas because they come from Chicago, or might benefit Chicago (see: debate last year over RTA funding plan-- that is, the sales-tax) they might show some regional leadership instead." - Matilda What part of attempting to secede from Cook County shows resisting ideas?? This is a form of leadership; leadership away from the drudgery of the idea that higher taxes, higher fees, and increase costs upon activities of daily living is GOOD for people. This is also called acting upon ideas, or to use another word 'leadership' Matilda.

peteypants

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:32:32 -0600

Palatine Liberation Front! i love it. thanks kevin.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:30:29 -0600

"The suburbs are where dreams go to die." Unless, of course, you have kids and don't have the money or connections to get them into a private or magnet school in Chicago, and know the rest of the schools are jokes; or want a Metra train ride to the Loop that often is quicker than a shorter distance on the El or bus; or you are middle or (gasp!) working class and actually want to buy a house instead of those glorified apartments people call condos (yeah, I know house prices can be insane in many 'burbs, too); or, perhaps, you just get sick of seeing your tax dollars go to fund large amounts of corruption year after year after year. But I digress.

A2

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:29:47 -0600

10 percent is ridiculous.

Kevin Robinson

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:19:54 -0600

peteypants: I think Eric Zorn came up with the obvious Palatine Liberation Front...

JawsOfJosh

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:08:37 -0600

"The suburbs are where dreams go to die." Spoken like a person in their early 20s.

Pinko

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:52:18 -0600

...what do you want palatine to do about transit? there is a metra station right in the middle of the town. that's all it should really need. I understand where you're coming from regarding the bloated Cook County budget, but for the record, Metra (along with the CTA) is part of the RTA, which the transportation bailout is aimed at funding...

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:48:32 -0600

Jimbo: What I mean is the 'burbs, instead of resisting ideas because they come from Chicago, or might benefit Chicago (see: debate last year over RTA funding plan-- that is, the sales-tax) they might show some regional leadership instead. This generally involves suburban leaders banding together or, at the least, mayors speaking up. Suburban leader could acknowledge that such an issue as transit affects the entire region, even if a town has only a Metra station. Instead, all of them--and Chicago, too--act as though we are all our little fiefdoms, and few leaders, city or suburban, seem wiling to change that. I am not arguing in favor of the Cook County sales tax increase, by the way, just to be clear.

peteypants

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:41:02 -0600

"This is not a joke. … If the city of Chicago is not going to pay attention to the suburbs, by golly, we should be seriously looking at secession," Bassi told the Herald. Sounds more like Mayberry is trying to secede rather than Palatine. also, there's a great joke in the works, along the lines of Palatine/Palestine, Gaza strip, etc but i'm not clever enough to come up with it.

jimbo

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:32:32 -0600

matilda - what do you want palatine to do about transit? there is a metra station right in the middle of the town. that's all it should really need. this isn't so much about chicago paying attention to the burbs as much as it is about cook county tax dollars primarily focusing on chicago's clout-inflated costs. it is very, very hard to defend the increased sales tax that cook county, non chicago residents have to pay now in order to prop up daley and stroger's machines.

Spav1

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:12:16 -0600

The suburbs are where dreams go to die.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:10:59 -0600

If Chicago won't pay attention to the 'burbs" That would be a stronger argument if the 'burbs showed more leadership on a regional issue such as transit rather than working against it because of their somewhat understandable hatred for all things Chicago.

Pinko

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:07:01 -0600

"This is not a joke. … If the city of Chicago is not going to pay attention to the suburbs, by golly, we should be seriously looking at secession," Bassi told the Herald. Nothing says "we mean business" quite like by golly.

matty

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:01:38 -0600

Viva la Palatine!