Bye, Bye Paul…
Illinois Review tonight cites a Daily Herald report that says Republican-turned-Democrat State Rep. Paul Froehlich will not seek re-election.
That’s the same Froelich who’s facing tough questions following some solid Illinois Review investigative reporting and the below Fox Chicago News report about his possible abuse of the tax appeals process.
Cook County Board Prez Fun
How serious is Congressman Danny Davis about running for Cook County Board President? Well, he’s got an “exploratory committee” Web site up and running.
In other news, Chicago Public Radio stokes interest in whether or not Hizzoner will issue an “endorsement against Stroger” in the County Board Prez race. Daley pooh-poohs the idea. Only time will tell.
“Two Eddies” Aim for 16th District Domination
Filed under: Campaign News, Corruption, Reform, Uncategorized
Longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was in the news this week — this time for helping “friends with city deals.”
To those familiar with Cook County politics and corruption, this story about Burke was no surprise. During his career, he has been far from a model of clean and honest government.
The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform describes Burke as a “career patron of Governor Rod Blagojevich.”
He has also long been a close political ally of uber-insider Ed Vrdolyak, who last year magically beat corruption charges in federal court after being indicted on fraud and bribery charges. Burke’s and Vrdolyak’s political alliance goes back to the “Council Wars” of the early 1980’s, when the two formed an opposition group — called “The Eddie’s” — to oppose Mayor Harold Washington’s policies, proposals and political organization.
The “Two Eddies” also share something else in common: they both vehemently oppose the reform efforts of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-16th).
Well, Burke’s opposition to Peraica most likely stems from him “sticking up” for his buddy Vrdolyak, a political power broker in Cicero and other Western Suburbs located within Peraica’s 16th District. Peraica has long tussled with Vrdolyak on behalf of the taxpayers — thus making Vrdolyak a political enemy.
And when Eddie V. is your enemy — so is Eddie B.
So, in 2006 the dynamic duo teamed up to try to defeat Peraica. Vrdolyak (specifically, the “Vrdolyak Law Group”) was the largest contributor to Michael LaPidus, who opposed Peraica in the Republican Primary for Lyons Township GOP Committeeman.
And Burke — through various political entities — ensured that William Gomolinski — Peraica’s Democratic opponent for the 16th District commissioner’s seat — was well-funded.
How well-funded? Well, according to State Board of Election reports, “The Burnham Committee” (a political committee of which Ed Burke is chairman) contributed $7,000 to “Friends of William E. Gomolinski” on 11/17/06.
The Burnham Committee previously made a $1,000 contribution to Gomolinski’s campaign fund on 3/22/06.
Also on 11/17/06, Friends of Edward M. Burke contributed $1,500 to the “Gomolinski Campaign Fund.”
So, the double-team was apparent: Eddie V. hit Peraica in the Primary … Eddie B. hit him hard in the General Election.
What will the 2010 election cycle hold? That remains to be seen. But with Vrdolyak having avoided jail time, the Vrdolyak-backed LaPidus already stirring up trouble in Lyons Township, and Ald. Burke still freely engaging in his shenanigans, it stands to reason that the “Two Eddies” will once again make a play to take over the 16th District.
Reform Candidate Emerges in the Southland?
Kristen McQueary this morning highlights new Republican candidate Jeff Junkas, who has emerged to challenge Democrat State Rep. Kevin McCarthy in the 37th District.
McQueary writes:
Jeffrey Junkas holds promise as a candidate for the Illinois House.
He exceeded my basic checklist. He has a brain. It works.
Add to that his moderate Republican agenda, his political know-how and the precarious perch upon which Democrats find themselves in a do-nothing Statehouse - and we might have a real race in the Southland.
But if he gets on the ballot, Junkas would give voters in the 37th District of Frankfort, Mokena, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Orland Hills and Orland Park something they haven’t had since 2002: a choice.
We’ve met Jeff Junkas. He’s a great individual who cares deeply about his family. And he’s right on the biggest state issues of today: budget and taxes…
He opposes an increase in the income tax and supports state budget cutting ideas proposed by groups like the Civic Federation…
We also don’t mind that he mentions he “voted for … Tony Peraica.”
Welcome to the fight, Jeff. We need more family-minded reformers in Cook County.
Top Picks from Today
Just a quick rundown of some of our favorite stories from today:
- The Chicago Tribune recognizes the unfortunate one-year birthday of Todd Stroger’s sales tax increase.
- Tony Peraica recognizes the 75th Anniversary of the Brookfield Zoo.
- Our tax-raising friend from next door in DuPage County — Kirk Dillard — skipped some Springfield votes to attend a political fundraiser.
- Yet another GOP legislator is talking about raising our taxes.
- Cook County’s federal patronage monitor has an “eye opening” experience.
- City of Chicago overpays mightily for transport of bodies to the morgue.
- Cook County home values drop — but will it mean lower tax assessments?
United Republican Fund Urges You to Contact Rep. Biggins
We just received this email from United Republican Fund about Rep. Bob Biggins (who represents portions of the western Cook suburbs), who may be considering a vote for the tax increase in Springfield. We urge you to contact him today…
Tell Rep. Biggins to Say ‘No’ to the Tax Hike
Your state representative — Bob Biggins — is considering raising your taxes.
Click here today to tell him to say “NO” to the tax increase.
In an ABC 7 Chicago News story last week, Rep. Biggins said:
“It will be difficult to come up with a solution that doesn’t have a tax increase, but I’m not sure what that tax increase would be. I’m not sure how I would vote on it. In this business you never say never. So I’m not saying never.”
The Democrats have mismanaged state government for six years, destroyed our economy – and now Bob Biggins is considering bailing them out with a tax increase?
Click here today to email Rep. Biggins to tell him you want him to vote “NO” on the tax hike.
You can also call his district office at: (630) 941-1278.
We know tax hikes will make our struggling economy even worse. Tax increases would slow economic growth, threaten jobs and shrink Illinois workers’ paychecks even further.
Email Bob Biggins to tell him you don’t want him to increase your taxes.
Rep. Biggins needs to do what’s right for our jobs, our families and our livelihoods.
If Bob Biggins gives the Democrats the votes they need to pass the tax hikes, it will do immense damage to our state — and to our Republican Party.
Tony Fires up the Chicago Young Republicans
Tony attended the Chicago Young Republicans summer membership event at the Cubby Bear last night — and had the opportunity fire up the crowd. Below are some pics from the event:
Help us Beat Tomorrow’s Midnight Deadline!
Help Us Raise $2,400 in the Next 24 Hours
You know who I am and what I stand for. My record of working for tax relief, transparency and accountability is clear.
If you’d like to see me re-elected to the Cook County Board — please click here to make an online contribution to help us beat tomorrow’s midnight fundraising deadline.
Political insiders from Chicago City Hall to Cicero want to see me defeated — and are planning to spend big bucks to make that happen.
Forrest Claypool is retiring and Mike Quigley has moved on to Congress … I may be the last line of defense on the County Board against future tax and spending increases.
Cicero Village President Larry Dominick and my fellow Commissioner Mario Moreno are already recruiting opponents to run against me and pledging campaign cash to see my defeated.
Can you help us raise $2,400 in the next 24 hours to beat tomorrow’s midnight fundraising deadline?
Your support is vital to keeping me fighting for you on the Cook County Board.
This Deal Smells, Plain and Simple
This Chicago Tribune story needs no further explanation:
Ald. Edward M. Burke wrote a letter in his official capacity that helped a client of his law firm win City Council approval to develop a blighted stretch of land near Midway Airport.
It’s the second time Burke has written such a letter so someone he’s done business with could get a zoning change from City Hall. After writing those letters, Burke abstained from voting on both cases to avoid any conflicts of interest.
Just because he abstained from the votes doesn’t mean this deal smells good. He’s one of the most powerful members of the City Council. He wrote the letter.
And just who was the individual helped by Burke?
In the most recent case, Burke wrote a letter July 18, 2007, endorsing a development project for Calvin Boender — who was indicted last month along with Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th) on bribery charges stemming from a different project.
But wait, there’s more:
This year, Burke persuaded Cook County Assessor James Houlihan to lower property tax assessments on three of five properties Boender owns.
Boender also has made campaign contributions to Burke.
In addition, Boender hosted a fund-raiser for Burke’s wife, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, four months before Ald. Burke penned the letter supporting Boender’s project.
In May, federal authorities accused Boender of bribing Carothers to win zoning changes for a West Side housing development in Carothers’ 29th Ward.
It’s deals like these that destroy the public’s faith in government and continue to tarnish our city’s and states’ reputation.
Lipinski to Make Courageous Stand on … Airline Baggage?
In an apparent attempt to lessen his own personal travel frustrations, Cook County’s own U.S. Rep Dan Lipinski (D-3) is set to propose new federal regulations on airline baggage procedures:
The three-term congressman, who grew up on Chicago’s Southwest Side under the flight path of Midway Airport, is seeking to solve some of the continual annoyances he and other air travelers experience through legislation aimed at regulating both checked baggage and carry-on items toted onto airliners.
Because most airlines are now charging fees for passengers to check baggage, he also thinks the carriers should face financial penalties when excessive delays occur in off-loading checked bags to airport baggage carousels.
Because what we need now with the recession is more federal regulations, right? Wrong: if the above passes, it is likely to put yet another burden on the broken airline industry and lead to higher prices for travelers.
Just because Rep. Lipinski gets frustrated when he travels doesn’t mean he needs to literally make a federal case out of it. I mean, what other personal frustrations does Dan have that he might be tempted to regulate?
Since Dan is looking to legislate on sources of travel delays, perhaps he can fine people who take too long to locate their change at toll plazas? Or how about jail time for participants in a gapers block? How about a federal law against state highway construction that takes too long, jams up traffic and goes over-budget?
Rep. Lipinski and his ilk in Congress unfortunately have the “Don’t just stand there — do something!” mentality that too often plagues politicians. That type of mentality leads to our elected officials spending their time regulating everything from foie gras and plastic water bottles (and now airline baggage) instead of doing the work to protect the taxpayers and legislative efficiently and effectively.
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