Stroger Drops the Hammer on Political Appointees

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jan 25, 2010 4:20PM

With the Democratic primary just one week from tomorrow, Todd Stroger is flexing his political muscle by booting appointees that aren't getting all the way behind his re-election bid. According to the Sun-Times, Stroger has dumped three county employees that have ties to political organizations other than his own, or that he may not perceive as being behind him 100 percent. Because all three are in exempt positions, they serve exclusively at the will of the county board president, and may be removed anytime.

The first was Joe Bishop, who was let go last Tuesday from his $99,686-a-year job as the administrative assistant to Forest Preserve District's superintendent. Bishop is part of Mike Madigan's political network. Stroger has been upset that Madigan (like Daley) has refused to endorse anyone. Also let go was Allan Mellis, who held a $100,000-a-year gig as director of planning and development in the district. Mellis is rumored to be connected to the 43rd Ward Democratic Organization, which is backing 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle's bid for county board president. And just for good measure, Stroger bounced Doug Chien from his grant-writing position in the district. Chien was poached from the Sierra Club last year, which endorsed Preckwinkle earlier this month.