When a republican or green raises at least 200K then Rich would probably take a look, he is pretty much applying the same principal to the dems.
Lakefront Liberal
· 10 months ago
Thank you for all the effort you make to keep the comments reasonably respectful, factual and on topic. The ability to have a reasonable discourse while expressing divergent viewpoints is a something that desperately needs to make a comeback.
Downstate weed chewing hick
· 10 months ago
Im not in that district, but if I were, putting ketchup on a hot dog would be enough for me not to vote for him. There are just some things too important to look the other way.
Diamond Dog
· 10 months ago
What does Fritchey mean by "when you lose hope, you shouldn't be here anymore?" Sounds like an underhanded endorsement for genocide for apathetic lawmakers. Seriously, how did that wording come from the minds of anyone who calls themselves a professional.
About that Tribune series . .
· 10 months ago
Rich,
Speaking of the Tribune's "Neighborhoods for Sale" series on zoning, Dan Mihalopoulos, Robert Becker, Todd Lighty, Carnell Little, and Laurie Cohenthe, who wrote the series, were all recognized earlier this week by the American Society of Newspaper Editors as finalists for the ASNE's Excellence in Local Accountability Reporting award. http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?id=7261
As readers will recall, the series linked specific addresses to specific zoning changes to specific campaign contributions to specific aldermen from specific donors.
Kudos to them for a job well done.
About that Tribune series . .
· 10 months ago
Typo correction: Laurie's last name is "Cohen."
EmptySuitParade
· 10 months ago
Yeah but the Trib lost to chicken news reporting...Distinguished Writing Award for Local Accountability Reporting — Ames Alexander, Kerry Hall, Franco Ordoñez, Ted Mellnik, Peter St. Onge, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer. For a series of stories revealing how officials in the poultry industry ignored and threatened injured workers.
Chicago Dem
· 10 months ago
I agree with your comments about the Tribune and O'Connor. Very strange that neither the paper nor the editorial board mentions their own scathing investigative stories about O'Connor's zoning activities.
Yellow Dog Democrat
· 10 months ago
Good for Fritchey.
Also worth noting -- as I mentioned yesterday -- is that it was just two weeks ago that Quigley was complaining that the Obama stimulus plan didn't invest enough in mass transit.
Then he whacks two of his Democratic opponents for actually doing something to fund mass transit?
That's the kind of HYPOCRISY I usually only hear from Republicans.
Quigley loves whacking Democrats so much, maybe its time for him to officially switch parties.
lake county democrat
· 10 months ago
Diamond Dog -- turn it down a notch -- the only time the word "genocide" should be used in connection to the Illinois state legislature is when they are voting on things like Sudan divestment laws.
About that Tribune series . .
· 10 months ago
EmptySuitParade,
Yes, but probably well-deserved by the NC folks. After all, they were reporting on a multi-billion industry that feeds the entire nation as it abuses immigrant workers. It's probably only fair that it trumps a (well-researched and well-written) series about corrupt politicians and their donors.
By the way, the following is from an item on the Charlotte Observer's website about the award:
“The Cruelest Cuts†– which also was produced by more than a dozen editors, photographers, designers and others – told readers how N.C.-based House of Raeford Farms illustrated problems rampant in the poultry industry. The investigation showed how the company blocked some injured workers from seeing doctors and hauled others back to work hours after surgery for broken bones and severed fingers.
Most of those workers were immigrants who were reluctant to complain for fear of being deported or fired. Observer reporters interviewed more than 200 current and former workers for the investigation.
“The Observer's project revealed the difficult world of the poultry plant through excellent writing and determined reporting,†said judge Peter Bhatia, executive editor of The Oregonian in Portland and a former president of ASNE.
“It is a superb example of the revelatory reporting that is unique to newspapers and vital to our society.â€
Less than a week after “The Cruelest Cuts†was published, federal lawmakers called for hearings to address issues the series raised. The federal Government Accountability Office is now studying whether regulators are doing enough to crack down on companies that try to hide workplace injuries, and lawmakers have added staffing at the N.C. Labor Department.
Rich Miller
· 10 months ago
Hooray for the Tribune. Now if they'd only get to work and cover this race instead of backstabbing and whining behind the scenes...
Bakersfield
· 10 months ago
If ignoring the Republicans means not giving any attention to Paulido, then I am all for ignoring the Republicans
About that Tribune series . .
· 10 months ago
Rich,
My point isn't to sound rah-rah for the Tribune, which is already a shadow of its former self, but for the writers who know how to provide the in-depth reporting and analysis you're asking for regarding this race. If only the paper would give them the space and backing to do it.
Rich Miller
· 10 months ago
===If only the paper would give them the space and backing to do it. ===
I'd rather not go into this further, but I'd beg to differ. I'm just really tired of some of the childish behavior in the tower.
wordslinger
· 10 months ago
It is weird that you would do a profile on a candidate and not reference a recent series you had done on them.
Outsider
· 10 months ago
As someone who doesn't know all the players, I'd like to suggest that while the 'big three' keep fighting it out maybe it's time to look at the others in the race. Donatelli seems bright, capable and always prepared. Can she win? Who knows...stranger things have happened.
Jerry Morrison
· 10 months ago
Love ya Pete!
JLP
· 10 months ago
Rich, I applaud you for enforcing the standards here. Politics can be a dirty business, especially in Chicago, but that does not mean we cannot be civil toward one another. Thanks for your efforts!
Jerry Morrison
· 10 months ago
Rich, i can't even make a harmless joke at my friend Pete'expense? This ain't no fun anymore.
Captain America
· 10 months ago
Quigley's attacks on Fritchey and Feigenholtz for supporting the mass transit sales tax increase is hypocritical. It effectively reinforces an impression that he is a renegade who would say and do anything to get elected - hence not very trustworthy.
I am not anti-Quigley, but it is disingenuous at best to suggest that he would not have supported the sales tax increase to support mass transit if he had had a meaningful vote on the issue. Quigley's constituency supported the bill overwhelmingly. If Quigley was really against the mass transit reform/funding bill let him produce one shred of evidence that he opposed it or spoke out against it. He can't because there is none.
I think the 5th District will be well-served by any of the parties likely to emerge with a small plurality. My personal regard for Mike Quigley has diminished substantially because of his fictitious retroactive posturing aganst the mass transit funding/reform bill. Quigley's always been somewhat unlikeable, but now seems to have morphed into a dishonest opportunist.
Rob_N
· 10 months ago
Broken Heart,
The media is barely covering the GOP (and Greens) in the 5th race for the same reason they essentially ignored the Dems after State Rep. Carolyn Krause announced her retirement a year and a half ago.
I don't think voters in the 5th CD will produce the same result (flipping the open seat from one party to the other), but the basic history and demographics of the district explain the media's ... laziness ... in covering this special election.
CC
· 10 months ago
Why did you take that Broken Heart comment? It's news on the Sun-Times
Rich Miller
· 10 months ago
Because I don't care about candidates' personal lives and it's a dumb story and after what happened here yesterday all i will say further is go over there to comment if you want.
Suzanne
· 10 months ago
The transit funding issue is a little tough to untangle. Last year's fix provided revenue, yes, but it did almost nothing to tidy up the underlying forecasting assumptions used by the transit agencies and the performance measures that flow from them, which is why declining sales tax revenue has them in such a pickle now. All to say, the claims of all three candidates embroiled in this debate may have some merit.
Yellow Dog Democrat
· 10 months ago
Suzanne -
Aside from the transit hypocrisy, what really grinds me wrong about Quigley are his attempts to link Feigenholtz and Fritchey to Stroger and the fact that Chicago has the highest sales taxes in the nation.
Fritchey and Feigenholtz voted to raise sales taxes .25%
Stroger's increase was FOUR TIMES that.
And who got Todd Stroger elected? MIKE QUIGLEY.
"low level paper pusher"
· 10 months ago
Yeah, I hate to say it because I like Mike Quigley a lot, but he is way off base with this one. He is trying to score points saying Fritchey and Feigenholtz voted to raise taxes.
Well, Mike, they also voted to save the CTA, something your constituents depend on. And is he now going to rewrite history and say that he did not want to save the CTA and voted against the resolution or was not in the room or some such nonsense?
I hate to bring these things up, but Mike opened the door himself with his ad. He went with Stroger, worked for Stroger. He didn't have to do that. He could have just stayed neutral. Instead, he worked openly for Todd with staff and everything. Not good.
WindyCityGardener
· 10 months ago
With all the candidates running we are uncertain who we are voting for. Fritchey was a complete jerk in the impeachment hearing running defense for Burris. Quigley did endorse Stroger when he should have kept quiet. Sarah is getting backing from (only my opinion)one of the most corrupt unions in the country. SEIU officials were connected at the hip with Blagojevich. O'Connor is a Chicago Alderman. Enough said. I've checked out the websites of all the other candidates and it's mostly Bush bashing and no original ideas. With all these people running I'm sickened by our choices.
Dig Deeper
· 10 months ago
Check out ANOTHER resolution that Quigley COSPONSORED May 3, 2005 which calls on the GA to do what it needs to do to fund public transit.
Sounds like the other resolution he supported. Funny how the more things stay the same, the more Quigley changes.
Bill
· 10 months ago
Nice ad, John. We're almost there!
WindyCityGardener
· 10 months ago
Does anyone know any of the other candidates running ? I'm interested in Tom Hanson. On his site he calls himself a Liberal Republican. My question is: most Republicans in Cook County turn out to be a little on the crazy side. Is he sane ? I've never voted a straight ticket in my life. So I have no problem voting for the right Democrat or Republican. All the other Republicans seem to be one trick ponies. Immigration. Most don't have websites. This guy Hanson seems to not focus on only one issue. Any information would help.
Jerry Morrison
· 10 months ago
Hey "WindyCityGardner" what is your issue with SEIU?
WindyCityGardener
· 10 months ago
I think I explained it. They were big Blagojevich supporters. One of their officals are on the FBI recordings talking about Obama's senate seat. I'm sure we'll hear more when the indictments come down. In fact didn't Fritchey make the connection with SEIU and Blagojevich ?
Jerry Morrison
· 10 months ago
Like almost every other union and Democratic Party entity, SEIU supported Rod Blagojevich for Governor. I believe even the esteemed John Fritchey endorsed Rod Blagojevich in more than one race over the years. How corrupt is John Fritchey in your eyes?
WindyCityGardener
· 10 months ago
Like I said, we'll learn more when the indictments are issued. Sarah should run from that union. Also I'm not voting for Fritchey.
ElectMike
· 10 months ago
Capparelli picked up a big endorsement today. Rich, where is it?
All Comments
The greens and the Republicans have candidates too.
While it appears they don't spend money on TV ads, shouldn't some of their stories be told. Shouldn't their issues be covered?
Like this endorsement.
Speaking of the Tribune's "Neighborhoods for Sale" series on zoning, Dan Mihalopoulos, Robert Becker, Todd Lighty, Carnell Little, and Laurie Cohenthe, who wrote the series, were all recognized earlier this week by the American Society of Newspaper Editors as finalists for the ASNE's Excellence in Local Accountability Reporting award.
http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?id=7261
As readers will recall, the series linked specific addresses to specific zoning changes to specific campaign contributions to specific aldermen from specific donors.
Kudos to them for a job well done.
Also worth noting -- as I mentioned yesterday -- is that it was just two weeks ago that Quigley was complaining that the Obama stimulus plan didn't invest enough in mass transit.
Then he whacks two of his Democratic opponents for actually doing something to fund mass transit?
That's the kind of HYPOCRISY I usually only hear from Republicans.
Quigley loves whacking Democrats so much, maybe its time for him to officially switch parties.
Yes, but probably well-deserved by the NC folks. After all, they were reporting on a multi-billion industry that feeds the entire nation as it abuses immigrant workers. It's probably only fair that it trumps a (well-researched and well-written) series about corrupt politicians and their donors.
By the way, the following is from an item on the Charlotte Observer's website about the award:
“The Cruelest Cuts†– which also was produced by more than a dozen editors, photographers, designers and others – told readers how N.C.-based House of Raeford Farms illustrated problems rampant in the poultry industry. The investigation showed how the company blocked some injured workers from seeing doctors and hauled others back to work hours after surgery for broken bones and severed fingers.
Most of those workers were immigrants who were reluctant to complain for fear of being deported or fired. Observer reporters interviewed more than 200 current and former workers for the investigation.
“The Observer's project revealed the difficult world of the poultry plant through excellent writing and determined reporting,†said judge Peter Bhatia, executive editor of The Oregonian in Portland and a former president of ASNE.
“It is a superb example of the revelatory reporting that is unique to newspapers and vital to our society.â€
Less than a week after “The Cruelest Cuts†was published, federal lawmakers called for hearings to address issues the series raised. The federal Government Accountability Office is now studying whether regulators are doing enough to crack down on companies that try to hide workplace injuries, and lawmakers have added staffing at the N.C. Labor Department.
My point isn't to sound rah-rah for the Tribune, which is already a shadow of its former self, but for the writers who know how to provide the in-depth reporting and analysis you're asking for regarding this race. If only the paper would give them the space and backing to do it.
I'd rather not go into this further, but I'd beg to differ. I'm just really tired of some of the childish behavior in the tower.
I applaud you for enforcing the standards here. Politics can be a dirty business, especially in Chicago, but that does not mean we cannot be civil toward one another. Thanks for your efforts!
I am not anti-Quigley, but it is disingenuous at best to suggest that he would not have supported the sales tax increase to support mass transit if he had had a meaningful vote on the issue. Quigley's constituency supported the bill overwhelmingly. If Quigley was really against the mass transit reform/funding bill let him
produce one shred of evidence that he opposed it or spoke out against it. He can't because there is none.
I think the 5th District will be well-served by any of the parties likely to emerge with a small plurality. My personal regard for Mike Quigley has diminished substantially because of his fictitious retroactive posturing aganst the mass transit funding/reform bill. Quigley's always been somewhat unlikeable, but now seems to have morphed into a dishonest opportunist.
The media is barely covering the GOP (and Greens) in the 5th race for the same reason they essentially ignored the Dems after State Rep. Carolyn Krause announced her retirement a year and a half ago.
I don't think voters in the 5th CD will produce the same result (flipping the open seat from one party to the other), but the basic history and demographics of the district explain the media's ... laziness ... in covering this special election.
Aside from the transit hypocrisy, what really grinds me wrong about Quigley are his attempts to link Feigenholtz and Fritchey to Stroger and the fact that Chicago has the highest sales taxes in the nation.
Fritchey and Feigenholtz voted to raise sales taxes .25%
Stroger's increase was FOUR TIMES that.
And who got Todd Stroger elected? MIKE QUIGLEY.
Well, Mike, they also voted to save the CTA, something your constituents depend on. And is he now going to rewrite history and say that he did not want to save the CTA and voted against the resolution or was not in the room or some such nonsense?
I hate to bring these things up, but Mike opened the door himself with his ad. He went with Stroger, worked for Stroger. He didn't have to do that. He could have just stayed neutral. Instead, he worked openly for Todd with staff and everything. Not good.
Fritchey was a complete jerk in the impeachment hearing running defense for Burris.
Quigley did endorse Stroger when he should have kept quiet.
Sarah is getting backing from (only my opinion)one of the most corrupt unions in the country. SEIU officials were connected at the hip with Blagojevich.
O'Connor is a Chicago Alderman. Enough said.
I've checked out the websites of all the other candidates and it's mostly Bush bashing and no original ideas.
With all these people running I'm sickened by our choices.
Go to page 4 of the PDF:
http://www.cookctyclerk.com/pdf/050305resdoc.pdf
Sounds like the other resolution he supported.
Funny how the more things stay the same, the more Quigley changes.
I'm interested in Tom Hanson. On his site he calls himself a Liberal Republican. My question is: most Republicans in Cook County turn out to be a little on the crazy side. Is he sane ?
I've never voted a straight ticket in my life. So I have no problem voting for the right Democrat or Republican.
All the other Republicans seem to be one trick ponies. Immigration. Most don't have websites.
This guy Hanson seems to not focus on only one issue. Any information would help.
In fact didn't Fritchey make the connection with
SEIU and Blagojevich ?
Also I'm not voting for Fritchey.