Chicagoist: This Just In: Developers More Powerful, Connected Than Average Residents

Scooter Libbby

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:23:26 -0600

There's only one thing that Berny Stone loves more than bribes from developers is another stop sign.

Nicholas

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:04:22 -0600

Who did Tribune endorse in the last election in the 50th Ward. Are they part of the problem or part of the solution?

Ward Up

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:40:04 -0600

Yes, $3,000 is not a lot of money. But that is the tip of the iceberg. It is typical for a developer to have subcontractors, the project's insurance agents, insurers for the insurance agency, zoning lawyers, the project's real estate agents and construction employees donate money to a particular alderman. And to have workers of all types provide the manpower to help with legwork for the alderman's campaign. There is a lot of way these developers funnel money to an alderman. It can be a staggering amount of money and manpower for an alderman to have. And many alderman take that assistance while ignoring the well-being of residents.

whymustiregister

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:34:00 -0600

$3K is a pretty small bribe. My guess would be that Stone wants a large concentration of elderly voters who like him in his ward.

JuliaPorter

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:29:06 -0600

Every time they run one of the articles in this series, I feel like the authors are waving their arms and frantically shouting, "People!! PLEASE give a crap about the massive corruption in your city government! It just might affect you one day!!!" and the majority of readers are saying, "*Yawn*...wow our streets were plowed promptly this winter...I wonder what's on sale at the Jewel this week?"

charliedid

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:10:35 -0600

"neighborhood activists" he he snicker snicker. Careful Margaret, Hugh can be a big meany! He might do an internet search on you and then you are finished!

Slaphappy

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:07:33 -0600

Does this city need a little guerrilla warfare or what? Nothing will make a corrupt government listen like a few heads on sticks.