Friday, February 15, 2008
News / Clout City Top brass
Posted by Mick Dumke on 02.15.08 at 07:41 PM
Of course police chief Jody Weis named an African-American as his top deputy this morning. The deal was struck weeks ago.
In the January edition of her monthly newsletter for constituents, Sixth Ward alderman Freddrenna Lyle wrote that things had been “a little strange” around City Hall. Most notably, she said, “The Mayor selected an FBI agent to head the Chicago Police Department.”
Weis is white, and now that he’s winning praise for surrounding himself with a diverse group of experienced cops, it’s almost hard to recall that plenty of black leaders were dismayed last fall when Mayor Daley picked him for the top job. Daley, these leaders believed, should have named an African-American as Phil Cline’s successor—if only to show he understood police relations were at a crisis point in some of their communities. Others were doubly upset because it seemed Daley had made the choice out of his zeal to host the 2016 Olympics—as an FBI man, Weis would appear to have better terrorism-fighting credentials and thus impress the selection committee more than a regular old police officer who’d built a career in Austin or Englewood.
Of course, the City Council had to approve the appointment before it became official. While that was never in doubt, several aldermen did raise a a bit of a stink by complaining that Weis was evasive and unimpressive during a police and fire committee hearing. Then a few threatened to vote against him in the full council meeting a couple days later. But Daley’s council lobbyists went to work, huddling with the reluctant in the lounge behind council chambers up until minutes before the vote. In the end, only the Third Ward’s Pat Dowell opposed him.
In explaining her own rationale for supporting Weis, Lyle, who is black, unintentionally outlined what had happened for a few of her colleagues as well: “When [Weis] appeared before the Police and Fire Committee Monday afternoon, I had some very serious questions which he could not answer,” Lyle wrote in her newsletter. “On Tues. and Weds. the Mayor’s Office provided me with most of the answers and I voted to confirm.”
She continued: “After the vote to confirm, the Mayor spent 5 minutes thanking us for the hard questions and assuring us that Weis will respond to and provide better services to every community.”
In a subsequent interview, Lyle said she’d been concerned that Weis had never been a cop—in Chicago or anywhere. The mayor’s office promised her that he would hire veterans as top aides. “I was assured his first deputy would be someone from the Chicago Police Department,” she said.
Some aldermen have said privately that they were also assured the first deputy would be an African-American, though they weren’t allowed to talk about it while Weis publicly and repeatedly refused to commit to the idea.
And most of the late converts gave other accounts of their decisions. “I had to think about it,” said 20th Ward alderman Willie Cochran, a former cop. “I found myself in dual roles. As a police officer, I struggled with someone else [outside the department] doing the job. But I supported the idea of bringing in a new dynamic. So I decided to support Mr. Weis for being the professional he is.”
A mayoral spokesman told me no promises were made except that Weis would find the best deputies possible. Police department spokeswoman Monique Bond did not return any of the half-dozen messages I left her about this over the last couple weeks.
Ike Carothers, the chairman of the council’s police and fire committee, had said that he hoped the top deputy would be black. But as I’ve mentioned before, he mostly stuck to the company line that Weis is truly an independent operator. “I don’t think he’ll be beholden to anyone,” was how Carothers put it. “He’s not a product of Chicago politics or anything like that.”
Comments (34)
Showing 1-34 of 34
If anyone cares to know, here's where our CPD officers share their thoughts on this issue: http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/
like
dislike
I love it when pencil neck writers get into a hissy fit and cry when they calls are not returned. No one owes you an explanation or a phone call, especially a phone call to a free paper. The Mayor has a press office that deals with you.
In Orion's idealized world the media would exist only as an extension of Daley's PR department to disseminate Daley's message without presenting differing viewpoints. Basically he wants a bunch of Fran Spielmans who regurgitate Daley's verbal diarrhea and press releases verbatim. Thank you, Ben and Mick, for investigating and reporting on the issues most journalists are too afraid to tackle. Impotent, unskilled machine hacks like "Orion" believe government is above answering to the people through the media but intelligent people believe differently.
Thank you, Joker. Someone finally gets it. I post pro-Daley, anti-reform messages to get reformers angry and pushing for change. You didn't think I could possibly have my head that far up Daley's butt, did you?
Ike Carothers, the chairman of the council’s police and fire committee, had said that he hoped the top deputy would be black. But as I’ve mentioned before, he mostly stuck to the company line that Weis is truly an independent operator. “I don’t think he’ll be beholden to anyone,†was how Carothers put it. “He’s not a product of Chicago politics or anything like that.†I'm still laughing my ass off!!! Ike , baby, you are the best! I still can't believe you used that word, "Independent" you fuckin oreo!
....Frank Coconate??????, Who allegedly kissed Louis Farrakahan's ass & Bruce Crosby's ass???????, The ones who are most hostile to the White Ethnic & White Independent Voters????????. Sick freak if it's not a rumor.
"Sick freak if it's not a rumor." Sick freak is 'Who?????'. And that's not a rumor.
The first order of Business of Mr.Weis, is how a City Worker in DesPlaines breaks the laws of the City of Chicago. Than while living in Desplaines, breaks the Village Ordinance ? He must have some Chicago Clout with James Dvorak. Maybe the Sun-Times will explain it ? It has some good pictures.
Yesterday they were taking video of Deep Water. Heard he has multiple houses. Speaking of owning houses, I heard Coconate is losing his to foreclosure. A $450,000.00 mortgage on a $150.000.00 house. Wow, must suck to try to get respect from the press when you are a bust out broke ass loser Coconate. I also heard if Deep Water loses his job, it will not make a difference since he is a multi-millionaire. Frank could you pay Tony back the money you owe him, and everyone else? What a sponge that lost another election, O'Connor won due to McDonough's cash and support. When you lose your house Coconate, maybe McDonough will rent you an apartment at one of the Buildings he owns. I doubt it. Sucks being broke Coconate, right? Reload broke ass. McDonough is the leader and the voice of the City Worker. Frank is the laughing stock, just ask Ben and Mick.
"Orion is a troll who baited you fools. His mantra is only to rile. It works." Full disclosure = ??????
We got Video February 17th - 10:54 a. Tell it like it is February 17th - 10:57 a.m. ------------------------------ Patrick Daley if you are going to attack me , use your real name. It's amazing how people are scared of me. " got spanked " By who or what ? A blog? The person that writes this stuff about me, is just deflecting from the criminal activity at City Hall and MWRD. Don't be fooled by this Patrick Daley ( MSS will bring you down Daley!)
It's sad to see how the City Council has turned into a bunch of pct, captains for Mayor daley. At least when I was in the City Council you had REAL African Americans as Alderman. Until US Attorney Scott Lasser went after all the minority Alderman for Richie Daley!
Coconutty's board is back up! www.frankcoconate.com He is selling squares for the first crash at O'Hare Airport!
Frank should be selling squares as to the week, month and year when we'll see Daley: 1. First arrested. 2. Day of conviction. 3. First day of his term of imprisonment. Also: 4. Length, in months, of his sentence. 5. Amount, in thousands of dollars, of his fine. 6. Amount, in millions of dollars, of his restitution. 7. Number of co-conspirators, rounded to the nearest factor of 10, indicted with him. Now that would be a winning pool to get into.
LOL . I do like that one better. But the $18 billion being spent at O'Hare is a real joke! The Daley people are actually ripping out towns. The Daley people are taking land they don't need. Just ask the people in DesPlaines, Elk Grove, Park Ridge,Bensenville,Schiller Park, Franklin Park, and now Addison? When does it stop , when they hit Springfield?
I fail to find the humor in the death of people. Take out squares on people's lives? Hoping for a plane crash? Has this dolt lost his mind. I fly out of O'Hare airport every day. Coconuthole needs mental health.
Betting on People's Lives February 17th - 7:48 p.m. I fail to find the humor in the death of people. Take out squares on people's lives? Hoping for a plane crash? Has this dolt lost his mind. I fly out of O'Hare airport every day. Coconuthole needs mental health. Don't blame me , blame your Mayor ! Every expert agrees with me. If the run-ways are built the way he has them designed,an accident will happen. Ask the air traffic controllers. These same contractors built the conopy at United Arrivals that are sinking!!!
Mayor Daley and his Administration builds the expansion. This guy Coconate brings attention to the problem and you think he needs the help? Great Job Coconate!
Gentlemen peace. let stay focused the real emeny is the sawed off tyrant 'DALEY" not each other. Watch the Federal appeals court. Will the the Federal judges allow punk ass Sorich to walk? Daley is getting a lot of help from State and Federal appeals judges.
Congratulations to Ronald Krol for making it to the finals on Who wants to be a model on Bravo TV. What a lot of viewers don't know is that Ronald Krol worked at the Illinois Republican Party. Allen Fore had a great eye for talent. Ronald Krol wants to be President of the United States!!!! Ronald Krol worked under Allen Fore!!! Ronald Krol is an Illinois Republican!!! I must also add that Ronnie (as we call him) has a great bod and now he can show it off to the whole world who just love him. www.ronniek.com Watch Bravo on Thursday. We all must thank former ILGOP ED Allen Fore for eyeing this young talent and giving him an opportunity at the ILGOP.
Awesome video watch this video staring Mayor Daley and Jody Weis. http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/1HeSP41IYnh1lCSkYd0b53Kt Also on www.chicagoclout.com Expect the best from the best.
Don't listen to Coco.The design of the O'hare Expansion runways are fine. I helped design those run-ways. I put all my background in doing nails and running for Columbus Day Queen to insure those run-ways are safe! So when you get on that plane , I can gaurantee that those run-way are manicured!
Whistleblower suspended 18 days CITY | Plumbing inspector punished after reporting on violations at school February 19, 2008 BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter An $85,068-a-year Chicago plumbing inspector who uncovered two pages of building-code violations that left 1,100 children at Jose de Diego Community Academy without water for weeks has been hit with back-to-back suspensions of three and 15 days. Michael McGann said Monday the actions are in retaliation for his faxing a copy of his inspection report to the school's principal, talking with a Chicago Sun-Times reporter about the threat of disciplinary action and cooperating with an inspector general's investigation into what McGann calls "a rash of" substandard cast-iron pipe being used on city jobs. The Sun-Times reported in late November that McGann faced disciplinary action for violating internal rules that prohibit preliminary inspection reports from being shared with outsiders until they're officially approved. McGann said he gave the Oct. 24 report to de Diego principal Alice Vera so she could use the information to expedite repairs that had languished for weeks at the 116-year-old school at 1313 N. Claremont. On Jan. 18, McGann was told he was being suspended for three days. McGann said he pulled out a tape recorder because, "I wanted a record of the event -- who was saying what, who was issuing what." The inspector said he served his suspension even as he filed an appeal with the same officials who suspended him. Then, on Friday, he was hit with another suspension, this time for 15 days. Among other things, he was accused of "borderline insubordination" for taping the earlier meeting. Found E. coli "They're trying to get rid of me because I'm honest, and I'm exposing corruption," McGann said. "They were totally disregarding the health and safety of students in that school, using plumbing contractors they want to put Band-Aids on it. Eighty days after the water main broke, I showed up and found E. coli bacteria in three different locations. There was still contaminated drinking water in that school. They had a full kitchen and swimming pool they couldn't use." Building Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey said McGann "is not being punished for sending that report out," nor is he being targeted for blowing the whistle on alleged wrongdoing.
