Friday, November 2, 2007
News / Clout City Two weeks, 1,000 signatures, no problem?
Posted by Ben Joravsky on 11.02.07 at 09:42 PM
On October 22, Seventh District state senator Carol Ronen sent out an e-mail with word that she was retiring from her seat on January 7. "I am announcing this now so that anyone who wishes to run for the office will be able to file petitions for the February 5, 2008 primary election by the November 5th deadline," she wrote.
Within a day, Heather Steans, a prominent north-side Democratic fund-raiser, announced that she was running and had canvassers rounding up the 1,000 signatures needed to make the ballot. Ronen, who did not return calls for comment, quickly endorsed her. Jan Schakowsky--who plays a curiously active role in the 48th Ward, where Ronen is Democratic committeeman--chimed in with her support.
Ronen's move left local independents seething. The 48th Ward has a long history of politicos resigning only to install hand-picked successors. Ronen herself first took office in 1999, when she was appointed to replace Art Berman, who resigned before his term was up. She got her committeeman's post when Mike Volini, the outgoing committeeman, tapped her. Steans says she was as surprised as anyone to learn that Ronen was retiring. But independents like Chris Lawrence (who was bumped off the ballot in the last aldermanic election) suspect that Ronen tipped off Steans, a large contributor to her campaign. They see this as yet another example of Edgewater politicians lining their ducks in a row to hand of their seats to other party insiders.
Last week Suzanne Elder, an Edgewater school activist, jumped into the race, calling on friends and allies to work round-the-clock to gather the 1,000 signatures she needs to make the ballot.
Will she make it? We'll see on Monday. But the real question is whether she'll gather enough signatures to survive an election board challenge. Our convoluted election laws are riddled with ticky-tacky technicalities that wily election law lawyers -- like the ones the 48th Ward's regulars usually employ -- use to beat off competition.
As Lawrence found out, in Edgewater the hardest part of independent politics is just getting on the ballot.
Comments (114)
Showing 1-50 of 114
Senator Ronen is a fat hack corrupt joke. She hides behind her supposed liberalism and being a lesbian. She was the floor leader for the most corrupt governor in the history of Illinois
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That's why EVERY independent-minded citizen, who wants to remove the corrupted, arrogant, self-serving scum, (masquerading as public servants), from office, should file their petitions, be it for a Primary or a General, in EVERY ELECTION. FLOOD the ballots with CHALLENGERS. PROMOTE the voting strategy of: HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT Here is how to get it done: 1) REGISTER TO VOTE 2) Make a list of every INCUMBENT, (leaving those few incumbents who you are CERTAIN deserve to be reelected off of your list). 3) BRING this list with you when you go to vote. 4) DO NOT vote for ANYONE on your list. 5) If the INCUMBENT has only one CHALLENGER, vote for that CHALLENGER, no matter who it may be. 6) If the INCUMBENT has 2 or more challengers, then: If the INCUMBENT'S name is listed FIRST, then vote for the CHALLENGER who's name is LISTED LAST or If the INCUMBENT'S name is NOT LISTED FIRST, then vote for the CHALLENGER who's name IS LISTED FIRST (This will concentrate the most votes for a SINGLE CHALLENGER, thus providing the greatest possibility of the incumbent losing.) 7) whenever you have the choice to RETAIN or NOT RETAIN an elected official, vote to NOT RETAIN. 8) Vote for whomever you choose, for whatever your reasons, it's your vote and you can cast it for whomever you please, but, REMEMBER, the INCUMBENTS are the people who have been, are, and will continue to be, the one's responsible for all of our current troubles. Cast your votes with the SOLE purpose in mind of ousting practically ALL those currently holding, and abusing, the power and authority they've been entrusted with. THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. Independents need ONLY to get their names on the ballot, for whatever elected office they choose to run for. Independents do NOT need to promote themselves, do NOT need to hustle for campaign money, do NOT need to fight according to the rules made to benefit the established and entrenched incumbents. Independents ONLY need to trust in the God or Gods of their choice, promote the above HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT voting strategy and leave the outcome of each and every contest for public office in the hands of the many citizens who, should they embrace the above voting strategy, ensure that NO INCUMBENT will remain in office. And that, my fellow citizens, is the best beginning of actual political reform that is possible. Simple. Effective. Easy. S.E.E.? Just Do It.
Ronen’s move left local Democrats seething. I am certainly independent of the local machine, but the Democratic Party is as much my home as it is to any of these local ‘representatives’ or their hand selected supporters who are members of the ‘regular’ Democratic organization. As someone who has worked for Gov. Mario Cuomo, volunteered and contributed on many Democratic campaigns to include Maj. Paul Hackett, Sen. Russ Feingold, Mark Para, Maj. Tammy Baldwin, Paul Vallas (who won the 48th ward in the primary), and local campaigns that merited support like Debra Shore, Daniel Biss, and Alderman Waguespack; I do not concede that the corrupted establishment of the 48th ward Democratic Party honors the proud traditions of my party, and they lay no more claim to the Democratic Party than do I. I have and will continue to support those Democrats who merit support. (I signed a petition for Rep. Osterman because I believe he is the best candidate for that position. I also would proudly support Comm. Quigley.) As far as the tactics of manipulating access to the ballot, Senator Ronen’s actions are as unfair to Ms. Steans as to any other citizen of the 7th district. Ms. Steans and her husband, Leo Smith, will have to convince voters that the hundreds of thousands of dollars they have contributed toward politicians of both parties (more than $150,000 to Gov. Blagovich alone), is not more than just the appearance of the pay-to-play politics that is ruining this state and nation. It is only with opposition who has access to the ballot can the tax-payers of the 7th district have a vigorous debate and determine for themselves who is best capable of serving the needs of the diverse interest in the 7th state senate district. I have not prejudged Ms. Steans, but I have deep reservations of supporting anyone who appears to have been given preferential treatment by Senator Ronen and her lackey’s. It is my hope that Suzanne Elder is able to assemble the modicum of support that I believe exist within the 7th district in order to gain access to the ballot and participate in such a debate. It is also my understanding from the New-Star that other interest groups also wish to circulate petitions and place other candidates on the primary ballot. I hope that every citizen who has advocated for change and a different kind of politics will get out this weekend and sign or circulate a petition for one of these candidates. We have monumental challenges facing this state, and the voters deserve a debate on the issues that effect them. Senator Ronen, and Senator Ronen alone, is responsible for this miscarriage to our electoral process. By handicapping everyone wishing to run for this seat by such a constricting time frame, the practical effects are no different than how we end up with the likes of Todd Stroger or Dan Lipinski. The men and women that I served with in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq DID NOT put their lives on the line, or make the enormous sacrifices that they have made, in order to defend the arrogance of our ‘elected’ representatives who think the peoples business is a family business, with titled to be passed from one generation of insider families to the next, or to be bought and sold to the highest bidder, with little or no accountability. Senator Ronen has done a huge disservice to her constituents, and she is unworthy of the sacrifices our veterans have fought and died in order to defend the principles’ of our democratic governance. It is my hope that Democrats throughout the 48th ward will begin to organize in order to rid ourselves of the cowardly bankrupt leadership of Committeeman Ronen and Alderman M. Smith. As far as my own battle and attempted run in the last Aldermanic election, I hope no one thinks of me as a victim. I have been a fighter all my life and I believe in what we were fighting for. I did not run because I wanted a job, I have a job, but because I believe I possess the courage to tackle the issues that affect us, the candor to be honest with the people of the 48th ward, proven leadership, and uncompromised convictions. I have seen victims – I am not one of them. I will continue to fight for what I believe in, and I hope that the readers will join in that fight. Our future depends on it - and we deserve better than the likes of Carol Ronen and Mary Ann Smith. I hope you will join us in circulating petitions this weekend for Suzanne Elder. It is high time we all stand up and insist on better from our elected representatives.
What surprises me the most is that the old dinosaur Ronen can even operate email.
The most competent Aldermanic Candidate for the 48th Ward thought Chris Lawrence had enough brains to get on the ballot. He did not. I am running next time. The 48th Ward will not vote for someone with the same lack of common sense as Frank Coconate,
Bill Lipinski, Tom Hynes,Mike Sheehan,Todd Stroger....wake up and wallk over to the Board of elections. Get a Election Calaender and run for office. Also if you would like to learn what offices are up for election. Go to my website and hit link to State board of Elections. The only way to stop this is know when elctions are scheduled and then put people on the ballot.
Wow. Hubby Leo is a serious mover & shaker. You see the dough to MA Smith & Ronen, of course, but for me even more repugnant than the mega-dough to Blago is the mega-dough to Emil Jones, Madigan, and other House Republicans. And, hey, that's odd: The IL SOS shows the NFP corp "ILLINOIS BIRTH TO FIVE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE" as in involuntary dissolution since 7/1/00. But the IL Board of Elections shows them collecting & dispersing funds into 2004. In 2005 the PAC took their last $10K and split it up between 3 Republican candidates, after which Leo carried on collecting and dispersing cash in his own name. someone has some 'splaining to do... http://www.elections.state.il.us/CampaignDisclosure http://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/
As our wounded soldiers sit in a bureaucratic limbo at Walter Reed, I can hardly blame a decorated veteran who was a novice politician from making a miniscule misstep like Chris Lawrence did by not putting some sort of receipt with his petitions. These assholes in government create the bureaucratic nightmare in order to avoid competition from a citizen. I just saw Chris Lawrence out collecting signatures and he continues to impress me with his tenacity in seeking better politicians. He told me to check out this blog. Assholes like you just try and belittle everything he has done for our nation. Shame! They out foxed him, but they have nothing to be proud about. From what I know of Chris Lawrence he is far more accomplished than Frank Coconate and is in an entirely different class. An insider who is going to run for office and won't sign with their own name? Just what we need another gutless wonder of a politician.
What is the significants of: The IL SOS shows the NFP corp "ILLINOIS BIRTH TO FIVE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE" as in involuntary dissolution since 7/1/00. But the IL Board of Elections shows them collecting & dispersing funds into 2004. In 2005 the PAC took their last $10K and split it up between 3 Republican candidates, after which Leo carried on collecting and dispersing cash in his own name. ? Care to elaborate?
This beauitful. I am glade we live in America. Everybody has a chance to run in a fair election.The Cook county democratic party is also fair the the challangers,and protesters. If you guys followed the rules you will be given ballot acess. Now good luck ,especially Mr Lawrence, but please remember your receipts.
If Lawerence cannot remember something as simple as putting a reciept on his petitions, I am glad he has been shipped home from the war because modern military equipment would be too difficult for him to operate and we would have more friendly fire incidents. BTW Chris, we get the message, you do not have to constantly harp on your service overseas. Sounds like you need a General Patton to slap you out of it.
You get the message! The Democrats seem to think it is ok to cry foul in Florida or Ohio, or try and label our soldiers in Iraq torturers while they let Burge and the Chicago goons off the hook. What a bunch of hypocrites! BTW Orion - your swift boat tactics won't work from the local Democratic machine. And he spells his name LAWRENCE (good thing you are just one of the admin hacks. You're good enough for government work, eh?)
I'm new to ths blog and can't quite figure out Orion. Who is he? Why is he so venomous towards Jesse, Jr. and the other Black politicians. I saw in one response that he was slamming various politicial hopefuls with no real basis. Some of his comments sound racist. Is he a 11th Ward white guy with ties to the Bridgeport crew, or is he simply a "sell-out" and disgrace to the Black community that has continually sought to strive for equality (with Junior or not).
Chris Lawrence is a true veteran, unlike Army Specialist Patrick" I'm The mayor's Son" Daley, who, since 2004,sits in the US while young soldiers go to Iraq and die! Patrick is a true Daley, phony from top to bottom!
'orion' is all of the above and then some. White, black or brown, for orion, skin color is only skin deep. Keep reading the orion, kosicki and 11th man posts, they're all a big help in inspiring the readers to finally get busy and: HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
I got a good one Frank Cocohead ,and stars and stripes Chris Lawrence run as a set.One guy sleeping in a hole, another can't remember to submit receipts and properly fill out forms. Do we want to replace DALEY WITH THESE BUFFOONS.At least we know how to take care of business in the 11th
All of these post are irrelevant to the issue at hand. Ms. Steans and Ms. Elders are both attempting to get on the ballot for consideration on their respective merits. I am not a candidate for any office. I am thankful toward everyone who has given time to circulate or sign a petition for Ms. Elder. I am all but irrelevant to this discussion, and I hope that the future discussion will focus on the merits of Ms. Elder and Ms. Steans candidacies. In my humble opinion, either will be a vast improvement to Senator Ronen. FYI – Patrick Daley, as are all veterans, is deserving of respect for his enormous sacrifice and service to our nation. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and I admire him entering as an enlisted member and as an 11 Bang-Bang as well. Good for him. I for one could care less what 'orion's' assessment of my character is, and I wish others would ignore him as well. He outwardly disrespects everyone except Daley, but his actions show enormous disrespect and discredit to the mayor as well. Let’s get Suzanne Elders on the Ballot. That is the obstacle to overcome.
Senator Carol Ronen is a corrupt pig. Taxes are high. Unemployment is high. Foreclosures are high. This is not democracy
Most people couldn't put together 1,000 signatures in eight days, but then most people aren't interested in running for office. Eight days is plenty of time for any serious contender to put it together, and that means that the race was open to a wide variety of people. Whether they chose to run is a different story, but it's hard to say that it's because there was no opportunity. Now, the Stroger announcement came after the last possible date, and therefore the only legal option was to appoint. That was bullshit. It's NOT what happened here.
Thomas- As I said on your blog post - to say this isn't as bad as the Stroger announcement is effectively saying nothing - Nothing is worse than the Stroger announcement - but this is just as bad. Carol had no choice - she couldn't announce after the filing date, because then even Heather couldn't have filed. This was the only way for her to get Heather in, and it will probably work. You are kidding if you think 8 days is enough, you must never have collected petitions. Ask anyone who has, they'll tell you how nearly impossible it is.
The other way to put a selected candidate in place would be to wait after the deadline and just appoint him/her. That was the Stroger model, and unless I'm badly mistaken, it would have been legally the same here, if Ronen had resigned just two weeks later. That wasn't done, though I don't know why. It could be that Ronen couldn't get enough committeemen together to agree on the candidate she wanted. If so, that could be a great thing if it was done to ensure that there was a primary. Unless all the committeemen involved want to talk candidly, we may never know exactly why things shook out this way. As for the petitions, yes, I've done it many times myself, and what would probably be needed is a candidate who knows they want to run, and an election lawyer, and a cadre of volunteers. As I said above, not everyone fits that description, but out of the list of people who are interested in holding an elected position, many of them are ready to go, and not all of them are from the same political school of thought, so there is/was an opportunity for those who are ready to go. That is different from the Stroger situation because even the best-prepared person (e.g. Forrest Claypool) could never even have given it a shot.
Do you have a real job Westgard or do you live on this site dispensing your bullshit?
A week before Ronen made her public announcement, reporter Rich Miller spilled the beans about the real backroom politics involved in Ronen's betrayal of the public trust. FROM RICH MILLER'S Capitol FAX blog: FRIDAY, October 19, 2007 RONEN MAY LEAVE SOON The governor’s Senate floor leader could be heading out the door soon. Sen. Carol Ronen confirmed this week that she is looking at leaving the Senate. She will reportedly take a major job within the Blagojevich administration. Ronen’s choice to replace her in the Senate is Heather Steans, a wealthy philanthropist who is married to attorney Leo Smith. Steans and Smith have been active campaign contribLitors over the years, giving $ I 70,000 to Rod Blagojevich’s fund alone, and kicking in over three quarters of a million dollars to all campaigns. But there’s at least a temporary problem. The other ward committeemen in Ronen’s district haven’t yet signed off on the Steans choice. Ronen is the 48th Ward Democratic Committeeman, and has 33 percent of the weighted vote. AId. Pat O’Connor of the 40th Ward, who has 18.7 percent of the weighted vote for a replacement, is so far backing one of his own people, Brendan O’Connor (no relation), who is a legislative liaison for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter is considered an ally of O’Connor’s and reportedly hasn’t yet signed on with Ronen. Schulter has I 5.8 percent of the weighted vote, which would be calculated on Ronen’s vote totals in her last general election bid. 49th Ward Committeeman David Fagus (I 5. I percent of the weighted vote) has reportedly not committed yet, either. That leaves the 46th Ward, where committeeman Tom Sharpe appears to be holding all the cards. Sharpe has enough of the weighted vote (I 7.8 percent) to team with Ronen and make Steans the next state Senator. But sources say he hasn’t made up his mind yet, either, and may be worried that Steans is too close to Gov. Blagojevich to represent the district. Ronen met with Mayor Daley this week to speak to him about Steans. She wouldn’t talk specifics, but did say that Daley is familiar with Steans’ family (major Chicago philanthropists) and likes them. Rumors have circulated that House Speaker Michael Madigan may have stuck his nose into this replacement fight a couple of weeks ago, which could be complicating Ronen’s quest to name her successor. Two of the committeemen, Sharpe and Fagus, work under Todd Stroger, a Madigan ally. Another problem - perhaps the biggest - is that both state Representatives in the district are from the 48th Ward, as is Steans, so the other committeemen would like the influence spread around a bit. Rep. Harry Osterman has so far resisted entreaties to move over to the Senate to allow Ronen to put Steans into the House as a backup plan. Osterman may want to run for alderman one day, plus the Statehouse atmosphere these days isn’t exactly conducive to a House member moving easily into the Senate. There is a possibility that Ronen could step down before the end of the candidate filing
Jay Paul Deratany got into the race late for Cook County Board of Review, District Two, where he will be taking on Joe Berrios, the almost 20 year incumbent. A huge district, Jay needed to collect about 4,000 signatures (in roughly 3 weeks) but will be coming to the table with 12-13,000 signed petitions, nearly three times the required number. A progressive Democrat, Deratany will be running against the corrupt Chicago political system, but his following is growing exponentially and a grass roots campaign effort is in full swing. www.jaypaulforcook.org
Professional politicians. Professional: 2 a: participating for GAIN or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs. b: having a particular profession as a PERMANENT CAREER. c: engaged in by persons receiving FINANCIAL return. Politician: 2 a: a person engaged in PARTY politics as a profession. b: a person PRIMARILY interested in political office for SELFISH or other narrow, usually short-sighted, reasons. Another excellent example of professional politicians acting in their own, narrow self-interest. kosicki: "Everybody has a chance to run in a FAIR election. The Cook county democratic party is also fair (to) the challangers,and protesters. If you guys followed the rules you will be GIVEN ballot acess." As if the Crook County Dumbocratic Party is willing to GIVE the GIFT of ballot access, said GIFT being the absolute RIGHT of EACH and EVERY citizen. We've come full circle, back to where our country began, with the people being ruled by an elite of 'royalty' no different than the royals our forefathers rejected and fought a revolution to free themselves from. 11th man: "At least we know how to TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS in the 11th." Riiiiiight. We citizens have seen how you royals take care of business. We pay through the nose for your version of taking care of business. We suffer every day because of the ways you royals take care of business. We've resigned ourselves to allowing you royals to take care of business, as if we are powerless to stop you. We are NOT powerless. We HAVE been responsible for being LAZY, for being CLUELESS, for being GULLIBLE, for being PAWNS, for being LESS than what our forefathers chose to be. Chris Lawrence: "It is high time we all stand up and insist on better from our elected representatives." In reality, it is high time we ALL stand up and insist on better CANDIDATES to choose from. This cannot happen until WE, as citizens, REJECT each and every 'royal' candidate, be they incumbents or hand-picked replacements for the incumbents. Both the Democratic Party AND the Republican Party are controlled and dominated by professional politicians, all with an ingrained sense of their own 'royal' Right-to-Rule. Governing, to professional politicians, is seen as a means to gaining wealth, exercising the powers to make law, interpret and adjudicate law, make policy and profit from same. In the medical professions, there is a fundamental rule, 'FIRST, DO NO HARM', albeit, not always adhered to by some. There is no such rule in the profession of politics. If anything, professional politicians live by the rule of 'Profit as much as possible, regardless of the harms caused to the citizens at large', limited only by the rule of 'Get elected at all costs, no matter what you have to do and no matter who you have to do it to'. WAKE UP, citizens, and apply the power of your vote to: HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
Midsummer Night's Cookout 07/21/2005 - 8:00pm Event Hosts: Leo Smith and Heather Steans Cost: $125 (ticket), $1000 (sponsor), $2500 (benefactor) Make check payable to "Citizens for Carol Ronen" and mail to: Citizens for Carol Ronen c/o T. Mohorek, Treasurer 28596 W. Main Street Barrington, IL 60010 http://illinoisdemnet.com/node/333
Sen. Ronen announces resignation October 24, 2007 By LORRAINE SWANSON Pioneer Press News-Star Staff Writer "I thought it was time," Ronen said [of her surprise announcement less than a year into her latest term and 2 weeks before the filing deadline] http://www.pioneerlocal.com/newsstar/news/617581,SN-Ronen-102307-s1.article
"A week before Ronen made her public announcement, reporter Rich Miller spilled the beans about the real backroom politics involved in Ronen's betrayal of the public trust." The Rich Miller story doesn't seem to add up. The weighted votes he quotes add up to 70.4 % of the respective committeeman. Regardless, the voter should decide who their representatives are, not a few committeeman. Some or all of them work for various political interest groups and seem more accountable to them than to the voters. This is an elected position, not an appointed one. I hope all these candidates mentioned get on the ballot because I don't know any of them. My vote should count as much as any of these committeeman. This is Chicago politics at its best. They can't agree on how to do anything and wind up letting the taxpayer finally having a voice on the matter. Good luck to all trying to get on the ballot. I wouldn't vote for any of them right now. I would be interested in the Republicans are going to put someone in play for the seat. That would be funny if the liberal lakefront were to be in such disarray they gave the Republicans a shot. The lasting legacy of Stroger!
A week before Ronen made her public announcement, reporter Rich Miller spilled the beans about the real backroom politics involved in Ronen's betrayal of the public trust. FROM RICH MILLER'S Capitol FAX blog: FRIDAY, October 19, 2007 RONEN MAY LEAVE SOON Can someone please post a link to the original? thanks
The October 19, 2007 entry is password protected for subscribers to his blog. Subscription is only worth it to those who are too lazy to look at other press online or want really softball interviews with state officials and elected representatives. Rich Miller is way too chummy with these legislators. He isn't going to 'spill the beans' on any backroom dealings or his calls will be returned as often as they return their constituents calls. NEVER! Rich is also openly dismissive of Ben's tenacious coverage of TIF abuse in Chicago. He acts a lot like politicians in Chicago. Maybe the press and politicians in this state are one and the same??
"Maybe the press and politicians in this state are one and the same??" Not quite, unless one considers one's whore to be the same as one's self. Of course, there are many flavors of whore, some more honestly tasty than others. And some not at all tasty.
When you state that you "....wouldn't vote for any of them right now.", do you mean that you'll likely not be casting a vote for any candidate in this race, thus allowing the machine-backed candidate to need one less zombie-vote from the loyal minions?
Rich Miller is a small town hick writer who would get eaten up in chi-town. Miller is a loser. Stay in Springfield you hairy ape.
I love that the derisive "don't you have a job" comment comes on Sunday! Yes, I shouldn't be on here posting comments, and therefore your comments... Please, let's keep those hits coming. Who the heck is Frank Coconate, and why does he have a cadre of anonymous blog stalkers? I don't know anything about him, but anytime I see someone being hounded by a bunch of people, I figure he must be doing something right.
A hearty thank you, to 'I'm a dunce', for expressing his/her appreciation of my humble posting. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
As much as you try to destroy Coconate, you make his reputation stroger! Keep coming with your stupid drunk posts!
To Thomas Westgard, I'll be on FOXNEWS Chicago Tuesday at 9 pm. I'm a critic of the mayor and his nerdy followers get off on posting without giving their real names. Don't let it get to you, the daley crew is a bunch of pussy's. They never fight straight up, it's always behind your back! They fired me from my job because I helped with uncovering rainblockers, Hired Truck, and the Hiring Scandal. So they go on BLOGS like these and try to spin me into something that is bad. Go to www.frankcoconate.com to learn more about me. Thanks for backing me up! PS To Chris, Patrick Daley is hiding while others are fighting the money war in IRAQ!
So, back to the original topic. What's the deal with the Birth to Five PAC? Was it operating legitimately in the years after the involuntary dissolution or not? Perhaps the dissolution is no more serious than exposing the PAC to some sort of tax liability. Does anyone on this blog know? Lastly, has a new position been confirmed for Ronen?
I am orginally from los angles. Is Daley and his followers as crooked as people say?
Get a laugh this morning, watch this: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1043500753349352095
Focus, people. This isn't about Daley, or Frank, or some dumb sot drunk on the job. Really. Start a chat room already.
Rich Miller reported: "Ronen met with Mayor Daley this week to speak to him about Steans. She wouldn’t talk specifics, but did say that Daley is familiar with Steans’ family (major Chicago philanthropists) and likes them." Daley likes the Steans family? I guess so! Harrison I. and Lois Steans kicked in some number of dollars over a million toward the Harris Theater in Millennium Park. http://www.pbcchicago.com/upload/538.pdf
Heather's daddy Harrison Steans is currently the Chairman for the Executive Committee of Financial Investments Corporation- a private equity investment company, and family office. From 1967 to 1988, Mr. Steans worked for NBD Illinois, Inc. and its predecessor institutions. From its formation through 1987, Mr. Steans was Chairman of the Board and grew the organization from a single $40 million bank to a six-bank holding company with assets exceeding $1.8 billion. From 1973-1978, Mr. Steans was Chairman at LaSalle National Bank (Chicago). During his tenure, he increased assets from $450 million to over $811 million. http://harrisschool.uchicago.edu/Boards/vc/members/steans.asp
