50th Ward Runoff Could Mean Judgment Day for City Council's "Straight Shooter"

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 4, 2011 7:45PM

When you're as old as Methuselah, as 50th Ward Ald. Bernard Stone is, you're often given a pass for speaking your mind, even when doing so often comes while you're doing your job. Stone may not have that luxury — being alderman, that is — for much longer.

Stone finds himself in a dogfight for his seat with Debra Silverstein, whose husband Ira is a State Senator and the 50th Ward Committeeman. Both sides have been slinging mud since the February election, but Stone has dug deep into his political bag of tricks. During a segment on Chicago Tonight, Stone said the only experience Debra Silverstein, a CPA, has had is "as a housewife" while accusing her of "taking monies from slumlords" and "a terrorist who preached the destruction of Israel."

Stone's own campaign funds have been called into question. He was recently subpoenaed by the State Board of Elections over allegations he used funds from his Concerned Citizens of the 50th Ward to run attack ads against Debra Silverstein, while also suggesting that Mayor-elect Emanuel is endorsing Stone in the runoff. Emanuel is supporting Silverstein.

With the hours ticking down before polls open in the 50th Ward tomorrow, Stone has taken his tough talk back to attacking Emanuel, saying he won't be a puppet to an Emanuel Administration while accusing Emanuel of backing misleading campaign ads made to make Stone look worse (than he can already do himself).

This is the second consecutive runoff Stone has faced for his seat, and both progressives and ward residents who are sick of having a man who constantly falls asleep during City Council meetings are working to make sure that Stone is voted out tomorrow. If that time comes, we'll find out in short order if the man who once said that re-electing him would be cheaper than paying his pension was telling the truth. 50th Ward residents may find that to be a worthy taxpayer burden.