Jail Break Features Latest in Negative Campaigning

By Amy Hart in News on Feb 14, 2006 4:32PM

This past weekend six inmates escaped from Cook County Jail, the second successful escape in as many days. Luckily all six were recaptured by early Monday morning. From the start it appeared the inmates had some help from the inside. But why would a guard help the inmates escape? Was he promised money? Was he a friend of the escapees?

It turns out the jail guard helped the inmates escape in an attempt to damage candidate Tom Dart’s chances of becoming sheriff. That’s right; he did it for political reasons. Talk about taking negative campaigning to the next level. First it meant personally attacking opponents and misrepresenting the issues. Now it endangers public safety.

The guard is a supporter of Democratic candidate Richard Remus, who in the past has been accused of brutality in a jail beating and tried to get Dart thrown off the ballot. Remus said his supporters would not help in an escape - "No way in hell did any of these guys do something this stupid for a [expletive] campaign. If he did do it, put him in the electric chair." The chair? He might have to wait for Oberweis to be governor if he wants to see that happen.

The escape did succeed in giving Dart’s opponents, fellow Democrats Remus and Sylvester Baker, and Republican Peter Garza, an opportunity to attack the leadership skills of Dart, who is being supported by current sheriff Michael Sheahan. Dart said while his opponents are criticizing him, he is busy at work.

Regardless of who becomes the next sheriff of Cook County, the victor will have a lot of work to do and will face plenty of scrutiny. There aren’t nearly enough guards, funding is low, and morale is sinking.