Chicago -
By Steve Rhodes
“Three top-tier candidates in the crowded race to become Chicago’s next mayor sought to differentiate themselves in a final televised debate Monday night before the Feb. 26 election, but much of the political sparring occurred on familiar terrain,” the Tribune reports.
Well, it was a little more exciting than that, but this is still a pretty good account of the evening’s doings. Recommended.
Posted on February 19, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
“In the race for mayor, one of Toni Preckwinkle’s allies crashed a Lori Lightfoot news conference,” Bill Cameron reports for WLS-AM.
“Lightfoot was accusing State Representative [and 38th Ward Democratic committeeman] Rob Martwick of trying to stifle reform by filing a bill in Springfield to make the Cook County Assessor an appointed position. Martwick crashed the Lightfoot presser and the two of them got into a heated debate post-presser.”
Preckwinkle denied having anything to do with Martwick’s stunt – in fact, she says she opposes Martwick’s bill – but this is still not a good look for her campaign, least of all because it once again dredges up her loyalty to former assessor Joe Berrios, whose office, populated by numerous members of his family, for years ran an astoundingly outrageous system that screwed poor people in favor of rich people.
Posted on February 18, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
For completists, there was no column on Friday. Thank you to everyone who came out for Joe’s memorial on Thursday night. It was just what he would have wanted.
On the campaign trail . . .
Posted on February 16, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
Reminder: For those so inclined, the memorial for our beloved Joe Mielnik is still on for today at Nick’s Beer Garden in Wicker Park, starting at 5 p.m. and going until who knows. (The official end time is 8 p.m., but let’s just say that is awfully fungible with this crowd – meaning 8 a.m. is just as likely.) Pizza and take-home goodies such as pins and t-shirts will be provided.
Posted on February 14, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
“Billionaire hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin, who has given tens of millions to former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and supported Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is donating $1 million to Bill Daley’s mayoral campaign,” the Tribune reports.
Griffin is Illinois’ richest person – by far.
Posted on February 13, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
This is the tweet that got me blocked from Amara Enyia’s campaign feed. Take a stroll through @BeachwoodReport to learn more about her pattern of phony claims, exaggerations and evasions. And there’s still more that’s not out there yet.
Trib: ‘Enyia advertised a ‘Party to the Polls’ rally w/Chance, organized bus pickups for students at 17 campuses in the city & promoted the event for several days on social media w/images of Enyia & Chance. 40 people turned up at Daley Plaza for the rally after the bus pickups.’ https://t.co/4Jt38drO6z
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) February 11, 2019
Posted on February 12, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
“Lori Lightfoot has more unique donors than any other candidate,” Jacob Wu reports for The Chicago Democracy Project, an initiative of Northwestern’s political science department.
Lightfoot also has, by far, the highest percentage of small contributors among her donor base, according to Reform for Illinois. (She also might have the most lawyers contributing, truth be told, but that is an unverified impression.)
Lightfoot has also just won the Sun-Times’ endorsement, for whatever that is worth.
I suspect Lightfoot is getting some second and third looks right about now, as Toni Preckwinkle limps to the runoff, Gery Chico replaces Susana Mendoza as the leading Burker, Amara Enyia flounders and the specter of a Bill Daley mayoralty looms.
Posted on February 11, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
For those who are interested, a memorial for Joe Mielnik is scheduled for next Thursday at Nick’s, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Further details as warranted.
Posted on February 7, 2019
By Steve Rhodes
The Beachwood family is reeling at the loss of our beloved Joe. You were truly one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/7UXB2BYu3N
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) February 6, 2019
Posted on February 6, 2019
R.I.P., Joe. You were one of a kind.
Posted on February 5, 2019
