When will the Illinois State Board of Elections start getting serious about campaigns that file "Non-participation Reports" for this election and then turn around and give major dollars in violation of state law?
Case-in-point: Metro Briefs on Page 36 in today's Sun-Times states that Michael McMahon, a DuPage County Board Member (and cousin of Lt. Gov candidate Joe "Hang Em High" Birkett) gave $10,000 to Tony Peraica after filing a "Non-participation" report on October 16th. And McMahon's own campaign report shows he only had $1200 on hand in July. Hmmmmmm. Rasing money, filing non-participation reports and doling out $10K to a candidate in another county. Rich, is there something to this or am I missing something?
Tom
· 3 years ago
Todd Stroger, "my own person", who almost never crosses Daley. Daley and the ward bosses would not have installed Stroger unless they were certain he would stay in line.
HANKSTER
· 3 years ago
I guess Daley thinks everyone need be political. I guess it comes as a suprise to him that someone like Claypool might actually not support Stroger because he knows he is a joke. Maybe Claypool is taking a stand on principal over Daley who just wants to sure up his support in the "Black community" for his own race next year.
Phocion
· 3 years ago
Claypool continues to impress.
Niles Township
· 3 years ago
Let's see Daley said the reason he supports Toddler has nothing to do with politics and his February election, but because Toddler "knows Cook County Hospital, knows Cook County Jail, knows Cook County Forest Preserves." Might it have occured to the Da Mayor that what Toddler knows of those entities is political hiring, waste, bureaucracy etc., and not what we need which is business minded decisionmaking within the means of the county. Cook County government has been bad for years, but now it is really out of control in so many ways. That's why this long time Dem will be punching (or connecting the arrow!) for the GOP in this race.
anne
· 3 years ago
wow, dan proft keeps track of the sun. our very own cicero dracula.
Ambulance chaser
· 3 years ago
No biggie here, and no surprise. The pols are doing what they need to do. Claypool, to his credit, is putting principles over politics, reminding me why I supported him. Democrats need to have higher standards! I guess I share his representation that good policy and good candidates are more important than partisanship.
Bubs
· 3 years ago
Todd is really getting gooey - no doubt he likes ice cream and puppies, too! So let's declare a "Group Hug", then move on to the unchanged facts of his incompetence and nepotism. Those North Side Aldermen are engaging in "Ubi Est Mea" at it's best.
Craig
· 3 years ago
The other GLBT newspaper, Chicago Free Press is NOT endorsing either candidate in the county board race.
Also strange is the CFP endorsement of JBT for Gov. I wonder who's running the show at Free Press, the Log Cabin Rebublicans?
Larry McKeon
· 3 years ago
Forrest Claypool is a political pol and protege of Gene Schulter's 47th Ward democratic machine organization. They got him elected to the county board and he has repaid the organization pols with patronage jobs both with the county and the state.
He has no claim to the staus of a reformer. He, of course, got skrewed by Schulter who is a consumate liar and a total fraud. In my 43 years of public office I have never worked with an elected official as disengenuous and self-serving. It is an embaressment to be in the same room at a public meeting and listen to his self-promotion and dishonesty.
Hypocrisy Watch
· 3 years ago
Interesting that the Mayor is wrapping himself in Harold Washington's aura. Isn't this the same Richard Daley who abandoned the Democratic Party in l987 to support a third-party candidate, Tom Hynes, who was rallying whites to defeat the INCUMBENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR NOMINATED BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN A FAIR AND OPEN PRIMARY?
Levois
· 3 years ago
That seems like a good comeback. Or at least a good try. But I wonder if Todd meant that in a different way than most readers would take it.
Observer
· 3 years ago
To: "What Gives" Since you are on Peraica's case, you might also want to check out the non participation report of the 8th ward regular democrats. I guess they aren't going to support Todd Stroger for President of the County Board. Do you believe that?
Buck Flagojevich
· 3 years ago
I guess the voters in Cook County want more of the same. Toddy is just a chip of the Old, corrupt, mans block. I say send the youngster packing.
2nd That
· 3 years ago
Hypocrisy Watch,
Good point
Ravenswood Right Winger
· 3 years ago
Schulter endorsed Claypool in the primary and then voted for Todd at the Central Committe Meeting. Funny how that works.
Go get em Tony!
Alfonse
· 3 years ago
While Gene Schulter does generally does a good job in the 47th Ward, and I disagree with Mr. McKeon's statement, I think Gene is making a big mistake backing Todd Stroger. I believe Claypool got 75% to 80% of the 47th Ward vote in the primary, precisely because people are sick of the Stroger machine corruption. He has angered a lot of people in the 47th Ward. Furthermore, Schulter backed Hynes over Obama and Hynes got creamed. I think Gene is a good guy getting a lot of bad advice. The quickest way for Schulter to become an ex-Alderman is to alienate Forrest Claypool voters. Bad move.
Wumpus Diva
· 3 years ago
The only thing Claypool is doing is not supporting him, because he didn't get it. Nothing about integrity or honesty from another pol insider.
At least we can get Todd a job as carpool driver for his kids' school. A job he is actually qualified for and had no help from daddy.
paddyrollingstone
· 3 years ago
Is Claypool really surprised at how things worked out? I mean what party did he think he belonged to? I am a Democrat and I expect others who run as Democrats in the primary to support the winner of the primary. If you don't like it, don't run as a Dem; join the "Greens" or start your own party.
Heart Broken
· 3 years ago
Claypool has some stones, too bad he didn't use them after John Stroger had his stroke. Instead, he went soft and let the Madigans, Daleys, Hyneses, and everyone else screw him. I wish we would be getting ready to elect him rather than these two nimrods. Hopefully he runs again in four years.
By the way, I'm sick of Daley's B.S. I hope Obama runs for President. He'll win Illinois and the office without any of the old school help. That is what we need in Chicago and Illinois.
Matt Leinart
· 3 years ago
paddyrollingstone:
"I am a Democrat and I expect others who run as Democrats in the primary to support the winner of the primary."
Todd Stroger did not win the primary. Not exactly a minor point in this entire debate.
Real Clear
· 3 years ago
Daley endorses Stroger.
Game over.
Matt Leinart
· 3 years ago
Real Clear, what makes you say that? What does Daley's endorsement do to change Todd's support base? Was there ever a question that Daley would endorse Stroger? I thought the Bears game was over last Monday, too. Although, there is no Peraicalacher.
Ashur Odishoo
· 3 years ago
The crux of Stroger's demise is the backroom deal and lack of evidence of his father's endorsement. When Beavers stated he was walking around, everyone knew it was a lie.
I suspect John Stroger has been in a coma since his stroke. I do not think he has actually spoken since his stroke. The "deal" is unacceptable to even the most ardent Democrats. This was the most extreme abuse of power and I am not surprised it is backfiring.
They broke humpty and can't put him back together in 2 weeks.
GO PERAICA!!!!
Ashur Odishoo Candidate State Representative 11th District www.voteodishoo.com
Real Clear
· 3 years ago
Matt, the truth will set you free a week from Tuesday. Obviously there was a question whether Daley was going to unleash the army. Those doubts are now gone. And yes, Daley does still have an army.
paddyrollingstone
· 3 years ago
Matt Leinart - Touche'
Cassandra
· 3 years ago
Meanwhile, Bobbie Steele, placeholder for the Toddler, has presented her Forest Preserve budget. The Daleys have Steele firmly in their control and as a result, the always pluckable Cook County taxpayers are about to get plucked again. Steele proposes only "minor adjustments" in the forest preserve agency, an outstanding patronage cesspool, and yet she also proposes an increase in the property tax levy. The Stroger/Daley property tax increases have started already, even before the Toddler is installed.
Oddly, the Tribune buried this new property tax increase in their Metro section. Hard to believe the Trib wants to help Stroger and Daley keep a low profile on this, but, to borrow a Sneedism, there ya go.
Hypocrisy Watch
· 3 years ago
Paddyrollingstone,
What primary election did Stroger win that compels Claypool to support him?
Alfonse
· 3 years ago
"Unleash the army" that's the problem isn't it? What is the army "fighting" for exactly? To place an inexperienced prince (Todd Stroger) into power so that the county deficit can continue to soar, kids can continue to be beaten at the Juvenile Detention Cneter by 8th Ward hacks, poor service at county hospitals, more FBI investigations, more tax hikes.....I actually feel sorry for Todd, because the same people who served his father so poorly will now likely take advantage of Todd's inexperience. The Mayor is wrong on this and the Mayor's arrogance is unfortunate.
Pat Hickey
· 3 years ago
Quite frankly, Poor Ol' Forrest walked into the Lions Cage Wearing A Pork-Chop Suit.
Sammy Esposito
· 3 years ago
The Trib editorial is the first of many pro-Peraica efforts will see from the Tower in the next two weeks. If Stroger does win, I expect the Trib editorial board will throw their hands up in disgust and start writing about how stupid the voters are. Never a good idea for a paper to essentially insult their readers, but what else can they say if their long effort to rid Cook County of the Strogers fails?
Candid Voter
· 3 years ago
From the Daily Southtown:
Todd trouble Not only is he neck-and-neck with his Republican opponent, but Todd Stroger apparently is trying to manage a divide within his campaign staff. While not unusual in a heated campaign, the strife has become apparent to members of the media who get conflicting information -- or no notice at all -- about scheduled news conferences.
Jennifer Koehler is deputy campaign manager, and Bill Figel is handling communications. Noonan is on leave from his lobbying practice, which is headed by ultimate city hall insider Victor Reyes
Bubs
· 3 years ago
Real Clear,
Not if they don't get the day off from the City, County and State for "vacation", he doesn't. They did not get the day off for the primary in March.
Interesting story for the press (and others) to investigate?
fedup dem
· 3 years ago
It should be noted that the county courthouses are closed for the General Election (after all, you have 71 judges up on the retention ballot). So those who work for the Circuit Court Clerk, Public Defender, etc., do get a day off.
thomas paine
· 3 years ago
A win by the young Stroger closes a lot of doors on Forrest. This isn't about his conscience, its about his career!
Alfonse
· 3 years ago
How exactly did Forrest Claypool walk into "the lions cage in a porkchop suit" anyway? If anything, I think it is the Mayor who looks like the fool here. THe Claypool vote is now the swing vote in this race.
thomas paine
· 3 years ago
Bubs,
The City, the Feds cannot deter any government employee from taking earned vacation time to work for a candidate of their choosing. Now, false sick days and such can be investigated and properly punished. But most of these employees know they will be out working the polls and schedule themselves a day off. The day the federal government punishes an employee for using their own vacation time to work for a candidate of their choosing, be it a machine hack or a tree huging green would be a shameful day in our country's history. Secondly, Stroger was near death and beat a superior candidate in March...i think these people had something to do with that...since the candidate himself was not out stumping that week.
Alfonse
· 3 years ago
Thomas Paine
I doubt what you say is true. The fallout of the massive FBI intrusion into Cook County will take place over the next four years. The sins of the father (or his underlings) will be the sins of the son (because of his underlings). My question, is why would more progressive African-American pols support Todd, when they could sit this race out, thus ensuring his defeat and then wait four years to beat Peraica? How can independent African-Americans be happy with this situation? Imagine for one minute if Peraica won. That would force the Democratic Machine to start fielding much better candidates, particularly African-American candidates. A weakened 8th ward may not be a bad thing. It will create competition and better candidates and that's good for the Democratic party.
Alfonse
· 3 years ago
Stroger won because he had high name recognition and a huge sympathy vote. Claypool had enough sense and respect for Stroger to do the right thing and basically shut down his media campaign in the crucial last week. Claypool was an underdog to Stroger, who was one of the most powerful local African-American pols. in the U.S. How else do get CLinton to do radio adds? The fact is, African-Americans vote in greater numbers in the primary than whites. Claypool had an uphill battle and did surprisingly well given that fact.
What Gives?
· 3 years ago
Observer:
Breaking the law is OK because Todd might take funds from the 8th Ward Dems? That's flawed thinking albiet Peraica's Way, since he and McMahon did it. I didn't read that the 8th Ward Democrats donated money to Todd and if they do participate, then they too should be held accountable.
But McMahon, Birkett's own relative, should disclose how he raised the money that he gave to Tony (like everyone else) and file an amended report with the Elections Board. It's that simple, it's the law, and it's the right thing to do.
Pat Hickey
· 3 years ago
Alphonese,
This clearly is the case of The Forrest walking straight into the biggest tree - Forrest chose the the political jungle primeval and thinks that the voters watch Channel 11. They ( the Voters) talk to people who happen to be their neighbors and are part of the elective jungle, so to speak and they learn who has chosen to walk on the brighter path. Forrest, like other wood-land creatures, wanted to be a player and employed all of the resources out there in the nasty woods. He cut tails for himself and even scratched out a nice vista from which to survey big beautiful lands far ahead. Then he decided to go off the trail and make himself 'a happy wanderer' - WHACK! TREE.
Think about it
· 3 years ago
North-side Daley endorsement at this time is revealing. It is way to early to be a pre-election boost-- that cames from the big guns a few days before. This looks more like a shoring-up. There is trouble in the field and they seem to know it. This is getting really interesting. Every move betrays a perceived weakness.
Tom
· 3 years ago
thomas paine, I agree that if a government employee wants to take a day of vacation time to campaign that it's OK, but how many of them do it as a result of coercion or an employer's "suggestion"?
StrogerNoonanSameThing
· 3 years ago
Daley didn't lift a finger for Harold Washington in 1983! He lost the primary, endorsed Harold, and then did absolutely nothing. A good recount of what transpired is in Gary Rivlin's Fire on the Prairie.
thomas paine
· 3 years ago
It not just ok, its a lawful and an indispensible quality of a functioning democracy. On the second point, you, and even Bubs, are correct that coercion and suggestions are wrong and should and have been investigated with rigor by Fitz and Co. The army of County workers will be out for Stroger Jr beacuse they don't want the County Budget balanced at their expense under a new regime...the shackman decree and Fitzgerald have helped free the workers from the burden of electioneering, they've helped curtail patronage hiring but they can do nothing to stop a candidate like Peraica or even Stroger from eleiminating jobs. So long as one candidate maintains the image of the "status quo" candidate, he or she can count on a large army of support.
JUdgement Day Is On The Way...
· 3 years ago
Forrest just needs to stick to his guns and not endorse "The Toddler". Once the Feds land on Cook County over all of those Shakeman violations (certainly going back all the way to pre 2000), Forrest Claypool is going to be one of just a few people around who can stand up and be creditable.
Daley needs to leave Forrest alone on this one, because with Fed's digging in like they are, he'll need to have a clean "reformer" type on the shelf who can come into the game and fix the Cook County mess.
Remember the name "Gerald Nichols" - because he's just the starting point...
Bubs
· 3 years ago
TP,
Spare me the drama of constitutional analysis. (An "indispensible quality of a functioning democracy"? Wow, how much coffee have you had today?)
This is Chicago, a city with three Municipal Corruption Task Forces operating. Vacations were not given en masse in March. If they are this time, well that's just grist for the federal mill, isn't it?
Does this indictment make my h
· 3 years ago
I like Daley and am really disappointed by his insistence in supporting Stroger, but yes, he is the machine (apple doesn't fall far...). Your Honor, King, there are people in this city who would vote for you without the Strogers, but I guess they aren't the 'correct' people.
Arthur Andersen
· 3 years ago
Bubs, you beat me to that one. Wouldn't you like to hear Toddler explain that primciple in 50 words or less ? But, I digress.
Let's remember, friends. The Mayor endorses (Blago) and then he ENDORSES (ok-can't think of a great one, but you get my point.)
The nod to Todd seemed distinctly lower-case.
Besides, I thought "Rod and Todd" was going to get Todd solidly over the finish line.
Rod and Todd are going to have some 'splainin to do about why one of their shared hacks ended up in the most uncomfortable of places.
Should be one big Love Train by the 7th.
Deck Marker, Potluck & Rol
· 3 years ago
I'm hearing Blago's people hate Stroger. They think he is an embarassement. They want as little to do with him as possible. As Stroger starts Alan Keying the race, Blago doesn't want to be pulled down by the association.
Blago's people assume they'll get the black vote anyway and don't want to lose the Claypool voters by association.
Not a bad idea. Besides, Blago needs to save his money for his defense fund.
Bobby Douglas
· 3 years ago
This race between Peraica and Stroger is just about over. The machine can knock on every door in the county 4 times a day, but the voter still won't vote for Stroger. From East Elgin to the Indiana border, from the north shore to the south shore of Lake Michigan and all points inbetween, the voters are disgusted with the democrat choice for Cook County Board President.
Moderate republican Tony Peraica wins by historical numbers (by Cook County standards) and the Democrats sweep just about everything else.
All Comments
Case-in-point: Metro Briefs on Page 36 in today's Sun-Times states that Michael McMahon, a DuPage County Board Member (and cousin of Lt. Gov candidate Joe "Hang Em High" Birkett) gave $10,000 to Tony Peraica after filing a "Non-participation" report on October 16th. And McMahon's own campaign report shows he only had $1200 on hand in July. Hmmmmmm. Rasing money, filing non-participation reports and doling out $10K to a candidate in another county. Rich, is there something to this or am I missing something?
Also strange is the CFP endorsement of JBT for Gov. I wonder who's running the show at Free Press, the Log Cabin Rebublicans?
He has no claim to the staus of a reformer. He, of course, got skrewed by Schulter who is a consumate liar and a total fraud. In my 43 years of public office I have never worked with an elected official as disengenuous and self-serving. It is an embaressment to be in the same room at a public meeting and listen to his self-promotion and dishonesty.
Since you are on Peraica's case, you might also want to check out the non participation report of the 8th ward regular democrats. I guess they aren't going to support Todd Stroger for President of the County Board. Do you believe that?
Good point
Go get em Tony!
At least we can get Todd a job as carpool driver for his kids' school. A job he is actually qualified for and had no help from daddy.
By the way, I'm sick of Daley's B.S. I hope Obama runs for President. He'll win Illinois and the office without any of the old school help. That is what we need in Chicago and Illinois.
"I am a Democrat and I expect others who run as Democrats in the primary to support the winner of the primary."
Todd Stroger did not win the primary. Not exactly a minor point in this entire debate.
Game over.
I suspect John Stroger has been in a coma since his stroke. I do not think he has actually spoken since his stroke. The "deal" is unacceptable to even the most ardent Democrats. This was the most extreme abuse of power and I am not surprised it is backfiring.
They broke humpty and can't put him back together in 2 weeks.
GO PERAICA!!!!
Ashur Odishoo
Candidate
State Representative 11th District
www.voteodishoo.com
in the forest preserve agency, an outstanding patronage cesspool, and yet she also proposes an increase in the property tax levy. The Stroger/Daley property tax increases have started already, even before the Toddler is installed.
Oddly, the Tribune buried this new property tax increase in their Metro section. Hard to believe the Trib wants to help Stroger and Daley keep a low profile on this, but, to borrow a Sneedism, there ya go.
What primary election did Stroger win that compels Claypool to support him?
Todd trouble
Not only is he neck-and-neck with his Republican opponent, but Todd Stroger apparently is trying to manage a divide within his campaign staff. While not unusual in a heated campaign, the strife has become apparent to members of the media who get conflicting information -- or no notice at all -- about scheduled news conferences.
The brain behind the operation is Mike Noonan, a Michael Madigan protégé who was brought on board to right the ship. Noonan is a no-nonsense, intense campaigner whose abrasive nature rattled some of Stroger's original team members. The team participates in a daily 8 a.m. phone call; Stroger is rarely on the call because he drives his kids to school every morning.
Jennifer Koehler is deputy campaign manager, and Bill Figel is handling communications. Noonan is on leave from his lobbying practice, which is headed by ultimate city hall insider Victor Reyes
Not if they don't get the day off from the City, County and State for "vacation", he doesn't. They did not get the day off for the primary in March.
Interesting story for the press (and others) to investigate?
The City, the Feds cannot deter any government employee from taking earned vacation time to work for a candidate of their choosing. Now, false sick days and such can be investigated and properly punished. But most of these employees know they will be out working the polls and schedule themselves a day off. The day the federal government punishes an employee for using their own vacation time to work for a candidate of their choosing, be it a machine hack or a tree huging green would be a shameful day in our country's history.
Secondly, Stroger was near death and beat a superior candidate in March...i think these people had something to do with that...since the candidate himself was not out stumping that week.
I doubt what you say is true. The fallout of the massive FBI intrusion into Cook County will take place over the next four years. The sins of the father (or his underlings) will be the sins of the son (because of his underlings). My question, is why would more progressive African-American pols support Todd, when they could sit this race out, thus ensuring his defeat and then wait four years to beat Peraica? How can independent African-Americans be happy with this situation? Imagine for one minute if Peraica won. That would force the Democratic Machine to start fielding much better candidates, particularly African-American candidates. A weakened 8th ward may not be a bad thing. It will create competition and better candidates and that's good for the Democratic party.
Breaking the law is OK because Todd might take funds from the 8th Ward Dems? That's flawed thinking albiet Peraica's Way, since he and McMahon did it. I didn't read that the 8th Ward Democrats donated money to Todd and if they do participate, then they too should be held accountable.
But McMahon, Birkett's own relative, should disclose how he raised the money that he gave to Tony (like everyone else) and file an amended report with the Elections Board. It's that simple, it's the law, and it's the right thing to do.
This clearly is the case of The Forrest walking straight into the biggest tree - Forrest chose the the political jungle primeval and thinks that the voters watch Channel 11. They ( the Voters) talk to people who happen to be their neighbors and are part of the elective jungle, so to speak and they learn who has chosen to walk on the brighter path. Forrest, like other wood-land creatures, wanted to be a player and employed all of the resources out there in the nasty woods. He cut tails for himself and even scratched out a nice vista from which to survey big beautiful lands far ahead. Then he decided to go off the trail and make himself 'a happy wanderer' - WHACK! TREE.
On the second point, you, and even Bubs, are correct that coercion and suggestions are wrong and should and have been investigated with rigor by Fitz and Co.
The army of County workers will be out for Stroger Jr beacuse they don't want the County Budget balanced at their expense under a new regime...the shackman decree and Fitzgerald have helped free the workers from the burden of electioneering, they've helped curtail patronage hiring but they can do nothing to stop a candidate like Peraica or even Stroger from eleiminating jobs. So long as one candidate maintains the image of the "status quo" candidate, he or she can count on a large army of support.
Daley needs to leave Forrest alone on this one, because with Fed's digging in like they are, he'll need to have a clean "reformer" type on the shelf who can come into the game and fix the Cook County mess.
Remember the name "Gerald Nichols" - because he's just the starting point...
Spare me the drama of constitutional analysis. (An "indispensible quality of a functioning democracy"? Wow, how much coffee have you had today?)
This is Chicago, a city with three Municipal Corruption Task Forces operating. Vacations were not given en masse in March. If they are this time, well that's just grist for the federal mill, isn't it?
Let's remember, friends. The Mayor endorses (Blago) and then he ENDORSES (ok-can't think of a great one, but you get my point.)
The nod to Todd seemed distinctly lower-case.
Besides, I thought "Rod and Todd" was going to get Todd solidly over the finish line.
Rod and Todd are going to have some 'splainin to do about why one of their shared hacks ended up in the most uncomfortable of places.
Should be one big Love Train by the 7th.
Blago's people assume they'll get the black vote anyway and don't want to lose the Claypool voters by association.
Not a bad idea. Besides, Blago needs to save his money for his defense fund.
Moderate republican Tony Peraica wins by historical numbers (by Cook County standards) and the Democrats sweep just about everything else.
The Fat Lady is singing.