By Steve Rhodes
The Beachwood is off today on a company retreat to refocus our chi, but will return tomorrow in all its stupendous glory.
The [Wednesday] Papers
“When the hands come off the holy books at swearing-in ceremonies next month, Chicago will have a City Council churned by turnover of more than a third of its 50 members along with a new mayor, Rahm Emanuel,” the Tribune reports.
“The new council will be without its second-longest-serving member, 50th Ward Ald. Bernard Stone, who suffered a crushing loss. Also gone is 6th Ward Ald. Freddrenna Lyle, a veteran African-American leader who went down in a narrow defeat.
“Not even the 36th Ward, long a Democratic machine bastion, was safe from change. Appointed Ald. John Rice, the former driver for political powerbroker William J.P. Banks, lost to a little-known firefighter, Nicholas Sposato.”
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All to the good.
But I’m kind of heartbroken that Rhymefest lost to Rahmfest – er, Willie Cochran.
Or did he?
Rahform
“If you’ve been following Chicago politics lately – either as a victim or student of the Chicago Way – it’s probably best to take some precautions,” John Kass writes.
“That’s because today is the day after the city runoffs, the conclusion of an election season that, for the first time in decades, did not officially involve a mayor named Daley. The aldermen are eager to rush down to City Hall to do their business. They’re all about reform now.
“And Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel just can’t wait to take over and reform things. And he will, too. Just as soon as outgoing Mayor Richard Daley and his White House chief of staff brother Bill Daley say it’s OK.”
Practice Run
“Aldermanic candidate Hal Baskin was arrested at a South Side polling place Tuesday after allegedly getting into a shouting match with an election judge,” the Sun-Times reports.
Huh. That actually doesn’t seem like it would be all that unusual for Chicago, but . . .
“I can’t remember this happening to a candidate in my years at the Board of Election,” a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners told the paper.
Maybe Baskin was just getting a head start on the inevitable fate of so many aldermen – though that displayed a bit of overeagerness; he lost to incumbent JoAnn Thompson.
Still, you’ve got to admire his pluck.
Union Dues
“James Cappleman beat Molly Phelan by a surprisingly comfortable margin in the 46th Ward,” Gay Chicago reports.
Cappleman becomes the council’s second openly gay alderman, along with Tom Tunney.
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“Cappleman also appears poised to become the first Chicago alderman to take advantage of Illinois’ civil union law, as he and his partner of 20 years, Richard Thale, said during the campaign that they plan to enter into a civil union when the law takes effect June 1.”
Power Play
The other result that really hurt aside from Rhymefest was the triumph of Danny Coalfest, I mean Coalis, I mean Solis in the 25th.
Just remember, Pilsen: Flip-flop once, shame on Solis. Flip-flop twice, shame on you.
Berny Stone Learns A Life Lesson
“‘I’m up against the machine, Stone said of his race against accountant Debra Silverstein. Silverstein was backed by Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel and her husband, state Sen. Ira Silverstein, who is also the 50th Ward Democratic committeeman.
“‘I used to be the machine,’ Stone said.”
Rahmfest
“Seven of the 10 candidates endorsed by Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel won their campaigns for City Council on Tuesday,” AP reports.
The Koschman Archive
The questions being asked now were first raised – albeit briefly – seven years ago.
Mods vs. Rockers
Chicago 2011.
Poetry Friggin’ Everywhere
Who to thank.
Sites and Sounds
Phunk One and Co.
Feds: Don’t Let Allergies Keep You Inside
Their advice.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Hypoallergenic.
Posted on April 7, 2011